Vice President in a handshake with the Bawku Naba
Vice President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia has given assurance that work will soon resume on the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakon Road in the Upper East Region following passionate discussions about roads in the country at a recent cabinet meeting.
According to the Vice President, President Akufo-Addo is very committed to seeing to the completion of the road to ensure that people travel quickly and safely from Bolgatanga to Bawku and Pulmakon and vice versa.
“Last week, there was a cabinet meeting; we discussed issues of roads and your good friend, Nana Akufo-Addo, has given the strongest indication that the Bolgatanga to Bawku road is among top prioritized roads. So be assured that your request is on the heart of the President,” Dr. Bawumia told the Bawku Naba at his palace.
Vice President, who was accompanied by some senior members of the government and Chief Executive Offices (CEOs) of state institutions, called on the Paramount Chief of the Kusaug Traditional Area, Zug-Rang Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II at his palace as part of his Ramadan tour of the Upper East Region.
He was hopeful funds would soon be released to the contractors working on the road to enable them complete the remaining portion of the road.
The Brazilian Construction Company, Queiroz Galvão, working on the bigger portion of the road (116 kilometers) from the Sakote Junction through Bawku to Pulmakon, has stopped work for some time, citing non-payment of its work certificates.
The contract, valued over GHc600 million, was awarded to Queiroz Galvão and the sod was cut in 2016 by former President John Mahama.
The company initially tasked to complete the road in two and half years, but work started in 2017 when the New Patriotic Party assumed office. Owing to the late start of the contract, the contract duration is very likely to be extended.
Meanwhile, the contractor working on the Sakote junction stretch, through Nangodi, Kongo and Zuarungu stretch, Mawums Company Limited is still working.
Dr Bawumia reiterated that the President would keep his campaign promise of staying out of chieftaincy matters.
The Vice President earlier visited the family of the late Navro-Pio Dr Augustine Atudiku Balinia Adda at his palace.
He urged members of the family to continue to maintain peace and unity in the traditional area, as they prepare to install a successor and perform the funeral rites of the late Navro-Pio.
The Vice President also prayed at the Zebilla Central Mosque, where he called on the Muslim community to continue praying for progress and peace in the country.
He appealed to Muslims to pray to Allah during this Holy month of Ramadan to continue to protect and guide the President to take good decisions in the supreme interest of Ghanaians.
Bawku Naba, on his part, expressed worry about the attempt by some appointees of the ruling government to interfere in chieftaincy matters in his traditional area, calling on the President to call those people to order.
Bawku Naba promised to mention the names of appointees to President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.
Tariffs
“The government has been able to do a lot within these 18 months we have been in power. The government has been able to do all that have been done by the grace of Allah and due to your prayers. The President promised to start free SHS, he has fulfilled; restore nursing students and teacher trainees allowances, by the grace of Allah he has fulfilled.
He promised to reduce electricity tariffs, so businesses can work profitably and he has done. Continue praying for Allah’s protection and guidance for the government to work for the development of the country and make lives better.” Vice President stated.
Some donations were made towards the completion of the Navrongo Central, Zebilla and Bawku Central Mosques.
From: Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Bawku