The Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) project, aimed at promoting social cohesion and community development in the Wa municipality, has hit a snag in the Zingu community. The project, which was designed to improve infrastructure and connectivity in the area, has failed to deliver on its promise.
A GH₵ 1.2 million contract was awarded to Licus Enterprise, a local contractor, to construct a reinforced giant bridge to connect two communities in Zingu divided by a huge valley. The project description mandated the contractor to build a structure that could withstand heavy rainwater flows through the valley from Wa. However, Licus Enterprise refused to construct the reinforced concrete bridge as described in the project document and instead built two weak culverts to bridge the valley.
Tragedy struck on August 31st when it rained in Wa, causing the two substandard culverts constructed by the contractor to wash away. The residents of Zingu were left stranded as the only alternative bridge constructed by community members through communal labor was left standing.
A community member, Mr. Seidu Kunleopie, speaking to Info Radio, revealed that the two washed-away culverts constructed by Licus Enterprise broke into pieces during the process of fixing them, but the contractor casted concrete on the broken concrete to make amends. Unfortunately, the repair work did not pass the durability test when it rained two weeks later, washing away the entire substandard culvert.
The Chief of Zingu community expressed his frustration with the substandard job executed by Licus Enterprise. He called on local authorities and SOCO management to take immediate action, either by getting the contractor back on site or getting a qualified contractor to take over the execution of the Zingu bridge construction.
The Assembly Member for the Zingu Electoral Area, Mr. Nuhu Abdul-Wahab, reported the incident to both the Wa Municipal Assembly and SOCO secretariat in Wa but no action has been taken yet.
Madam Jaharata Mahama, a resident of Zingu community, participated in meetings regarding the SOCO project in her community and expressed disappointment that none of the project specifications discussed during the meetings were complied with by the contractor during execution. She added that she was not surprised that the culverts were washed away by rainwater since the contractor refused to listen to community members regarding the need for a reinforced concrete bridge instead of a culvert.
The Zingu community is a cluster of communities in Wa municipality with over five thousand residents who are mostly farmers. The residents are cut off during the raining season due to the valley that separates them from Wa, the municipal capital. Residents were overjoyed when it was announced that a bridge was to be constructed over the valley, but their joy turned into rage when Licus Enterprise executed substandard work exacerbating their plight.
The whereabouts of Licus Enterprise, who executed the substandard project, are still unknown. Efforts are being made by Info Radio to get a statement from the contractor regarding the matter.
The SOCO secretariat and Wa Municipal Assembly have yet to respond to our request for an interview regarding this project.
The people of Zingu community continue to suffer as a result of this failed project, highlighting concerns about accountability and transparency in public contracting.
The SOCO project project makes it a priority to strengthen local institutions and enhance the voices, influence, and ability of vulnerable people (including youths) to act and play a role in prioritizing local development investments and promoting social cohesion and trust in their communities.
Meanwhile, The Upper West Regional National Democratic Congress (NDC ) Communications Officer Mr. Issah Kantagyere on a TikTok video post commented on the 1.2 million substandard SOCO Zingu bridge project.
Mr. Issah Kantagyere commenting on the project in a social media post
The project also supports the civil and political inclusion of youth which is critical to channel their energy and aspirations, and create the space for self-expression and to transform potential frustrations into constructive local actions. In addition, the project will support the inclusion of pastoralist groups, who will be engaged as part of community-driven development approach in local activities to ensure project investments address broader needs. Gender dimension has been integrated into the project design to ensure the project benefits vulnerable women to protect their livelihoods and foster economic opportunities in a safe and climate resilient manner.
The Government of Ghana (GoG), through the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development (MLGDRD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance received a credit facility of $150 million (out of the total $450 million) from the World Bank to implement the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project, in six regions in the northern parts of Ghana – namely the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, North East, Savannah and Oti Regions.
The projects aims to promote social cohesion and community development in the Gulf of Guinea regions by providing infrastructure and services that benefit local communities. The project is implemented in partnership with local authorities and stakeholders to enhance community-led development initiatives.
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