The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta says as part of the government programme to improve accessibility and connectivity, as well as safety, road construction will be prioritized and government will conclude negotiations with the Official Creditor Committee to ensure that work on eligible externally funded projects resume.
According to him, the Government infrastructure programme will also be anchored on a strong private-sector collaboration and will further continue to pursue the Mining Sector Roads rehabilitation projects to improve the road network in mining communities.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, during the budget presentation, he explained that the Government will begin the formalization of the agreements with the Mining companies and mining-related industries to fund and commence the rehabilitation of Roads in the Mining Enclaves in 2024.
He indicated that some of the selected communities include Takoradi- Agona Nkwanta, Tarkwa Dualisation and Tarkwa Township, Prestea Bogoso and Bogoso Township, Dunkwa-Obuasi, Obuasi Township, Ahwia Nkwanta, Manso Nkran, and Konongo.
‘’Mr. Speaker, to promote trade and transit from the Tema Port, the capacity of the Tema Hospital Road will be improved under PPP arrangements. Accordingly, the Government has developed a deed of transfer to be executed,’’ he noted
He also noted that some of the ongoing projects are at various stages of completion: Kumasi Lake Road and Drainage Extension project is completed; reconstruction of Bechem-Techimantia-Akomadan road – is 71 percent complete; and Construction of the Flyover on the Accra-Tema Motorway from the Flowerpot roundabout – is 60 percent complete which is the Phase 2 of the Tema Motorway Roundabout (including construction of the 3rd tier of the interchange).
Ken Ofori-Atta added that the construction of 4 major by-passes at Osino, Anyinam, Enyiresi, and Konongo along the Accra-Kumasi Highway commenced in 2023 and is at various stages of completion.
He continued that the reconstruction of Agona Nkwanta-Tarkwa road – is 44 percent complete, the dualization of Ho Main Roads (Sokode-Gborgame-Civic Centre) and Traffic Management Works (10.5km) – 100 percent as well as some selected roads in Sekondi and Takoradi Phase 1 which is 28 percent completed.
He added that the dualization of Nsawam-Ofankor road (including widening the road to 10–lanes with a6–lane expressway and– 4 lane service road with interchanges at Amasaman, Pobiman, Medie, and Nsawam Junction) – is 30 percent completed; and construction of a 4-tier interchange at Suame in the Ashanti Region- has commenced.
He said ‘’Mr. Speaker, the following projects under the Master Project Support Agreement (MPSA) with Sinohydro Corporation Limited have been completed: Tamale Interchange Project (100 percent); Western Region and Cape Coast Inner City Roads- 32.19km (100 percent); Construction of Hohoe-Jasikan–Dodi-Pepesu – 66.4km (100 percent); Upgrading of Selected Feeder Roads in Ashanti and Western Regions – 68km (100 percent); Sunyani Inner City Roads (39km) – 81 percent completed; Construction of Sunyani and Berekum Inner City Roads (39km) – 81 percent complete; and PTC roundabout interchange project, Takoradi – 80 percent complete.
He further underscored that ‘’Mr. Speaker, in addition, the preparation for the reconstruction of the Accra-Tema Motorway under the Road Sector’s Public Private Partnerships (PPP) with GIIF is on course. The Concession Agreement and draft Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) agreement have been approved by the Cabinet and will be submitted to Parliament for approval shortly’’.
He added that the Government has renegotiated the contract terms of the La General Hospital Project and will now be funded through the national budget, adding that the contractor is expected back on site next week to complete a significant amount of work by 2024.
-BY Daniel Bampoe