The Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has signaled a heightened focus on investigating potential fraudulent activities involving surveyors in connection with compensation claims following the completion of the asphalt works on a two-kilometer access road linking Feyiase to the Sewua Regional Hospital in the Ashanti Region. The announcement comes amidst mounting concerns regarding alleged attempts to inflate compensation amounts for properties impacted by road projects, prompting a formal investigation by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
According to Mr. Agbodza, the government is considering reporting two surveyors to EOCO for scrutiny, citing a pattern of behavior suggesting manipulative practices. He stated that surveyors are actively persuading affected property owners to reject government valuations, often promising significantly higher compensation amounts than authorized state agencies provide. The practice, he emphasized, has resulted in substantial financial losses for the state, causing delays to crucial road projects.
Mr. Agbodza explained that the situation has become a significant cost factor, with projects frequently experiencing unnecessary delays. He voiced his frustration, stating that ‘We are looking at the possibility of reporting two of those people to EOCO for investigation,’ suggesting a deliberate effort to uncover potential wrongdoing. He further warned that surveyors who actively encourage rejected valuations could face investigations, potentially leading to legal repercussions.
The Minister’s comments were delivered during an inspection of asphalt works on the access road, linking it to the Feyiase to Sewua Regional Hospital corridor. The project is being undertaken by Kofi Job Construction Limited. He appealed to property owners affected by road projects to rely on valuations conducted by authorized government agencies rather than engage external surveyors to renegotiate their compensation, asserting that government assessments are consistently significantly higher than those provided by surveyors working with the Ghana Highway Authority and Urban Roads. The Minister questioned how independent surveyors could arrive at valuations substantially exceeding those conducted by surveyors with government oversight, highlighting a discrepancy between the initial evaluation process and the final compensation offered.
According to the Minister, some affected persons are subsequently encouraged to seek court injunctions against road projects, further delaying their implementation. He stated that the government would continue to compensate property owners whose properties are affected by road projects in accordance with the law, emphasizing the importance of ensuring fair and transparent compensation processes. The Minister also commended project-affected persons who have cooperated with government initiatives during compensation processes, particularly for the Accra-Kumasi Expressway and other road projects, acknowledging that such cooperation has been crucial to the project’s successful completion.
The Ministry also acknowledged the alleged practice of surveyors approaching affected property owners after assessments are completed and convincing them to reject the offered amounts, indicating a potentially manipulative approach. The Minister stressed that the government would continue to compensate property owners whose properties are affected by road projects, emphasizing the importance of consistent and legally sound compensation procedures. The investigation by EOCO is being viewed as a critical step in addressing the concerns raised, potentially leading to a deeper examination of the practices of surveyors involved in road project compensation. The situation has been noted to be escalating, with similar incidents occurring in Accra and other areas of the country, reflecting a concerning trend within the sector.”
**Tags:** Roads, Criminal Investigation, Property Rights, Economic Crime Office, Government, Road Projects, Compensation, Surveying
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Source: Adom Online
