Euroget De-Invest, an Egyptian investment company awarded the contract to build nine hospitals across the country, including the Ashanti Regional Hospital situated at Sewua in the Bosomtwe District of Ashanti, has described the commissioning of the project as illegal.
The company, in a statement, disclosed that the project was not complete for it to be commissioned.
The statement was issued after the president commissioned the facility.
The statement, which was issued and signed by Said Deraz, the Group Chairman of Euroget De-Invest, on January 5, 2025, said the hospital project was not yet fully completed and had not yet been handed over to the government, while the government was still yet to meet its full financial obligations to the contractors.
According to him, the commissioning was “conducted in direct violation of the terms of our contract.”
The statement added, “While we acknowledge the importance of healthcare infrastructure in the Ashanti Region,” the ceremony “raises serious concerns regarding legal and contractual obligations.”.
“It is important to stress that Euroget De-Invest S.A. has not yet received full payment for the construction of the hospital. Furthermore, the project remains incomplete and has not yet been officially handed over to the government.”
“As the contractor, we retain possession of the site until the project is handed over correctly and legally. We categorically did not grant permission to any party to enter the site for commissioning purposes,” the statement said.
“Euroget did not give anyone permission to enter the site. Possession is still ours until we hand over in the correct and legal manner,” the statement added.
“This is a breach of the contract. We haven’t handed over, and every step should be taken to claim damages against all previous commissioning because, by this action, the President is implying that he could have commissioned those hospitals without incurring any costs on our part.”
It added that “the fact that the government proceeded with the commissioning without consulting Euroget raises questions about the adherence to legal protocols and the sanctity of contracts. The company, which secured the funding for the hospital’s construction, was not consulted regarding this purported commissioning. Additionally, there was no representative from Euroget present at the event, which accentuates our exclusion from a critical milestone in the project”.
The company said the commissioning “constitutes a serious breach of security concerning the hospital. Entering the premises without our permission to undertake the commissioning, while the hospital remains incomplete and without the contractor being fully compensated, reflects a disregard for the law and contractual agreements.
“This situation represents a level of lawlessness that cannot be overlooked. Please find attached to this release photos of the current state of the hospital, which reinforces this statement,” it added.
The statement said, “As we approach the transition of power in Ghana, we are left questioning the motives behind such an action. Why would an outgoing president engage in such illegality just three days before handing over office? We must stress that the timing of this commissioning raises concerns about the legitimacy of the actions taken and whether they serve any political agenda rather than the interests of the citizens who rely on these healthcare facilities.
“It is fundamental for all stakeholders, including the public, to understand the implications of these actions. The commissioning of the Ashanti Regional 250-bed Hospital should be a moment of pride and achievement for all involved; however, it has instead become a source of contention and uncertainty. We urge the government to respect the rule of law and adhere to the contractual obligations it has entered into,” the statement further stated.
Meanwhile, the company has called upon relevant authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly.
“The actions taken by the government not only undermine the integrity of the project but also set a worrying precedent for future government contracts and projects. The people of the Ashanti Region deserve better than to have their healthcare infrastructure embroiled in legal disputes and contractual violations,” the statement said.
“We hope that this situation can be resolved amicably and that the government will recognise the importance of following due process in all its dealings. We are prepared to take all necessary steps to protect our rights and seek damages for any breaches of contract that have occurred,” it added.
By: Rainnowradioonline.com/Ghana
