Accra-Kumasi Dualised Road Opens To Traffic. INSET: Minister Amoako-Atta
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Atta has signalled the official opening of the Accra-Kumasi dualization project, Lot 6, stretching from Kwafokrom to Apedwa Section (31.7km) in the Eastern Region.
According to him, the project, which began in December, 2008 during the erstwhile administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, had an original contract period of 39 months and was scheduled for completion on March 14, 2012.
Speaking to journalists after temporarily opening the Kumasi-bound section of highway to traffic, Mr. Amoako-Atta stated that the project was abandoned for eight years by the NDC administration, and rewarded in 2017 upon assumption of office by President Akufo-Addo.
“There were three prolonged periods of stoppage by the Contractor between December 2008 and June 2017,” he noted.
He said the work on the dualisation of Kwafokrom –Apedwa section is now close to 80%complete after Messrs China International Water and Electric Corporation were awarded the contract.
He disclosed that the project included the construction of the interchange at the Suhum junction.
“We are satisfied the road is good and have signaled the official opening of the road to traffic on behalf of President Akufo-Addo. It is significant that within four years President Akufo-Addo completed the Suhum overpass and opened it to traffic about two years ago.”
“He has also fully completed the Accra-bound side [of the highway] and opened it to traffic in 2017, and just the close of 2021, he has almost completed the other side of the road which we are opening to traffic today,” the Minister recounted.
He noted that the move was to help with safety for motorists on the road during the festive season
He indicated that the dualisation project was significant and demonstrated the works the government had been doing since assuming office in 2017.
“I want to put it on record and I will continue to say that his [President Akufo-Addo] administration has done so much in the road sector and it is unprecedented.”
“Since independence, no government can match the feet chalked on the road sector by the President. I am not saying that previous governments have not worked on the road sector. I am talking about the degree of work done,” he explained.
According to him, the government is changing the dynamics in the activities of the road sector from surfacing, asphalt overlays, bridges to interchanges.
Mr. Amoako-Atta said the government was determined to do more in the road sector, indicating, “Between now and 2024, a lot of work is going to be done.”
He asserted that the President’s second term would be used to dulalise the country’s major trunk roads.
From Ernest Kofi Adu, Apedwa