PTC Interchange project halted, over 300 workers laid off

Skyypowerfm.com on Saturday, January 14, reported that the three-tier interchange being constructed in Takoradi has come to a stop.

The Regional Industrial Relations Officer for the Western and Western North Region of the Sinohydro Corporation Limited (construction company), Mr Elijah Joe Neizer, confirmed this development and revealed that over 300 workers on the project have been laid off.

Giving further details as to the reason for this unfortunate incident, he indicated that the PTC Interchange is a batter (exchange) project, an agreement was reached between the Ghana and Chinese government and in return, the Chinese government will be getting Bauxite.

However, since the Ghana government sought a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) due to economic challenges, one of the conditionalities from the IMF was to halt all batter projects which includes the PTC Interchange.

For this reason, the PTC Interchange and most projects being constructed by Sinohydro Corporation Limited across the country have come to a complete stop.

He indicated that the Chinese management has written several times to the Ministry of Finance to review the contract so the project can continue but all have proven futile.

With that, they have no other option than to lay off over 300 workers and also half of the Chinese expatriates have returned back to China.

He added they are hoping for a consensus to be reached by the Ghana and Chinese governments.