Mahamadou Bonkoungou, P-DG of EBOMAF SA: "My company is not based on any stoppages on its yards"

If there's one man who was delighted by the visit of the Ministers of Finance and Public Works to the road construction sites in the Savanes region on November 9th and 10th, it's undoubtedly Mahamadou Bonkoungou, CEO of EBOMAF SA, the winning bidder. This visit by the two government officials came as a welcome relief, dispelling all speculation. He is pleased that the two ministers personally witnessed the realities on the ground, which are at odds with the reports submitted to them.

How do you feel about the visit of the Ministers of Finance and Public Works to the construction sites being carried out by your company?

Today is a significant day in the implementation of the road projects for which EBOMAF is responsible. Through its two ministers, the government was able to assess the actual progress of the work already completed and observe the difficulties the company is facing. The various obstacles were not brought to the attention of the Minister of Public Works. Reports submitted to him by the administration deliberately concealed these realities, which were beyond our control, as they were not included in the initial files. This led to us receiving, unjustly, warning letters. This visit therefore allowed the Minister to see firsthand the situation on the ground at the three construction sites for which we are responsible. We went and reviewed all the tasks. The Minister was able to identify a number of obstacles beyond our control that the administration must address.

These obstacles consist of either unforeseen issues in the tender documents or inaccuracies in the feasibility studies. In some places, work had to be halted on the instructions of the inspectors because the study was not properly conducted at the time. This visit by members of the government is beneficial in that it provides the highest authorities of the Togolese Republic with the opportunity to see firsthand that EBOMAF is carrying out its work conscientiously and legally. It is in no way in our interest not to dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to the development of Togo. We thank the two ministers who made this visit. It is a sign of trust and consideration for our company. We will work day and night to meet the expectations of this country.

What exactly does the work on the Tandjouaré-Cinkanssé-Burkina Faso border section of National Route 1 entail?

This project, which is progressing as planned, involves widening the road to nine meters with 1.50-meter shoulders on either side. This also involves rebuilding the improved cement sub-base, laying a 10-centimeter bituminous gravel base course over 65 km, and then a bituminous concrete wearing course. That's the scope of the work. We are currently in the widening and sub-base phase for the cement soil. The paving will begin soon. As the monitoring team pointed out, the work already completed represents a completion rate of approximately 48%.

What is the current status of the Dapaong-Borgou construction site?

This is another road project that requires the complete development and construction of a modern road. The work includes drainage structures and a roadway with a five-meter layer of asphalt. The site is progressing very well, except that some obstacles have arisen, forcing a work stoppage. As the Minister noted, international law allows the company to submit an invoice for the equipment downtime. This is stipulated in the contract to address force majeure events not explicitly mentioned in the agreement that prevent the company from progressing as planned. For example, the deposit discovered on this section has stalled work for the past two or three months. It also appears that the administration has not compensated the local population for some time to facilitate the clearing of the right-of-way. Given these obstacles, we have the right, as provided for in the contract clauses, to send a capital expenditure invoice to the Togolese government. Such recourse is not ideal for us, as Togo is also the country of the CEO, which I am.

What is the current status of the work on the Dapaong-Ponio-Burkina Faso border road, which continues to generate much discussion and controversy?

The Dapaong-Ponio section has been the subject of numerous criticisms and unfounded reports. Regarding this section, I can assure you that everything the company is responsible for under the contract has been fully completed. The remaining work, the asphalt paving, falls under the category of additional tasks. We are awaiting approval from the authorities to resume work. Let the public understand once and for all that EBOMAF is not behind schedule on the Dapaong-Ponio project. The work that was to be carried out by the company has been completed. The administration approves the use of asphalt concrete instead of a surface dressing. As soon as it gives its approval, this work will be carried out automatically.

Comments gathered on construction sites by JE