President Akufo-Addo yesterday commissioned the first phase of the construction of the Obestebi-Lamptey Interchange at Kaneshie, Accra.
The first phase of the project was completed five months ahead of schedule after the sod was cut in October last year and the President said the second phase was commencing in earnest.
Speaking at a short but colourful ceremony where a crowd of NPP supporters cheered him on, President Akufo-Addo thanked the contractors and prayed that they would attach the same seriousness to the second phase.
For him, the completion of the project is indicative of the seriousness his government attaches to its commitments toward the accelerated development of the country.
The Obetsebi Lamptey is a key intersection in the arterial road network of Accra and part of the Ring Road system and located at the intersection of four major areas namely the Kaneshie Mallam Road (Dr. Kofi Busia Highway), the Ring Road West (Mortuary Road to Korle bu), Ring Road West Extension and the Graphic Road.
Under this programme, the Obetsebi Lamptey Roundabout is to be developed into a three tier interchange as part of the Ministry of Roads and Highways’ strategies to address urban congestion and reduce congestion being experienced by commuters.
The project commenced in October 2019 with a sod cutting ceremony for completion in 18 calendar months.
The Phase I involved the construction of a 550m viaduct and ramps between Graphic Road and Dr. Busia Highway (Kaneshie Mallam Road).
Under the project, a 2 No. (5.5 x 2m) box culvert across the Graphic Road and a storm drain of similar size was constructed up to the Ring Road West Carriageway and the storm drain will be continued up to Mpamprom Junction under Phase II of the project to help address the flooding challenges being experienced at Obetsebi Lamptey.
Also under the Phase II, the third tier of the interchange which will be on the Ring Road West (Awudome to Central Mosque at Abbosey Okai) will be constructed.
It includes the widening of the Ring Road West (from Awudome Junction to Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange) into a 2 x 3 dual carriageway as well as improvement of the Awudome Road & Nii Teiko Din Street.
The project is being executed by Messrs QGMI Construcciones E Infraestructuras Globales S.L.U with Messrs FAS Consult Ltd. as the Engineer’s Representative, and the Department of Urban Roads is the agency responsible for the project.
Roars For Nana
President Akufo-Addo had a tough time entering the Kaneshie Market Complex area in the Okaikoi South Constituency where Dakoa Newman is the NPP parliamentary candidate.
It took the tireless effort of the security detail to meander him through the hordes of people who had gathered to welcome him at a mini rally at the market.
Some of the market women removed their clothes for the President to walk on in appreciation of his good works.
Some chanted the ‘4More To Do More’, ‘4More 4Nana’ ‘Nana No1’ campaign slogans of the NPP, while others shouted, “Nana you do all!” “Paapa oo den dei!” and “Free SHS!” among others amid blurring of loud music.
He asked them not to trust those making veiled promises they could not fulfill since same people including the NDC presidential candidate, former President John Dramani Mahama and his party, were those who literally wrote off his ability to implement the Free SHS which is now giving an opportunity to the many who would have otherwise become school drops outs.
Kokompe Fanfare
It was all fanfare when the President’s convoy reached Darkuman Junction where the Kokompe spare parts dealers have their market which is Ablekuma North, where Shiela Bartels is the NPP parliamentary candidate.
Scores of spare parts dealers who gathered to welcome him had literally taken over the road from Darkuman Junction to Nyamekye Junction amidst ‘4More 4Nana’.
Motor riders calling themselves ‘Patriotic Riders’ displayed their skills, with others dancing to blurring tunes from vehicles with mounted public address systems.
The security once again had a hell of time controlling the crowd, the numbers that had poured on the streets to either catch a glimpse of the President or welcome him.
People had lined up on the shoulders of the road waving the blue, white and red colours of the NPP amidst chants of “four more to do more.”
By Charles Takyi-Boadu