KEY POINTS
- Public projects should be fully inspected before the state assumes ownership.
- Politicians often bypass official handover procedures for political advantage.
- Dr. Asiedu urges transparency and adherence to due process.
According to him, before the state takes ownership of a public project, it must go through a formal handover procedure in which consultants, contractors, and state representatives check the facility, fix any issues, and settle payments.
Public projects must follow proper handover procedures
“The contractor is required to turn over the project to the state when constructing any kind of facility. Asiedu stated on JoyFM’s *Top Story* on Wednesday that the state meets with the contractor and consultant at the conclusion of the contract.
They will examine the project, and occasionally problems will come up. Snagging is the process of making last-minute adjustments to make sure everything is up to par, he stated.
He did point out that politicians frequently eschew these processes in order to further their political agendas.
“Politicians sometimes commission projects that are technically not yet under state control,” he remarked.
Asiedu cited an instance in Sewuah where a contractor protested the commissioning of a project on the grounds that the government had not formally assumed control.
“The project was commissioned and some ribbons were up before they knew it,” he said.
Calls for transparency in project transfers
Politicians abuse their authority by commissioning projects that are not legitimately state-owned, he said, denouncing this conduct.
“They believe they can do anything they want, but in actuality, they are unable to take possession of the property after commissioning because the required procedures have not been finished,” he stated.
According to Joynews, Asiedu urged authorities to make sure that projects are finished and legally transferred before any commissioning ceremonies take place, and he asked for increased transparency and respect to due process.
