Video: Contractor sacks pupils from classroom; kids forced to study under trees

Pupils of Agona Duakwa Salvation Army in the Agona East District in the Central region have been forced to study under Coconut and Cocoa trees on the school compound after a contractor sacked them from their classrooms over debts owed by the government.

Information gathered by Adom News indicated that the government in 2016 awarded the construction of a six-unit classroom block through GETFUND to Nyardu Construction firm but no payment has been made to the contractor though the facility is in use.

In an interview with Adom News, the contractor, Peter Nyardu stated that he had done everything possible to complete the project even without payment and urged the government to also be diligent in fulfilling its part of the agreement.

ALSO: Nima Villagio-like facelift: We will resist any attempt if… – Youth group

“Banks are now demanding for their monies and as I speak now, I have been taken to court and expected to make an appearance on Thursday,” he said.

“I know the situation is bad and I didn’t close the classrooms just because of the debt though I used my own money and loans from banks to finance the project and as at now, I haven’t been paid a cedi, but the project is not fully completed and not safe for the children,” he added.

Meanwhile, the assemblyman for the area, Peter Baah urged the government to pay the contractor to enable him complete the project and also settle his debts to give the children access to the classrooms.

ALSO: NDC will not sleep on EIU report – MP

Some of the over 500 pupils affected expressed their displeasure about the incident and appealed to the government to settle the debt to enable them return to the classroom.

“We now study under trees while we sit on blocks to learn because the contractor is saying the government owes him. So we want the government to come to our aid by paying the contractor so that we can have a smooth teaching and learning process,” some of the pupils said.

Source: Adomonline.com | Adom News | Kofi Adjei