FLASHBACK: President Akufo-Addo during his tour of the Northern Region
President Akufo-Addo will launch the ‘Greater Kumasi Facelift Road’ projects on Friday, August 10, 2018 to ease traffic congestion in the city.
The President is expected to cut the sod for work to begin on some important roads at a ceremony at Atonsu in the newly-created Asokwa Municipality.
Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah made the announcement yesterday during a radio programme on Hello Fm.
He disclosed this while responding to a number of issues related to the collapse of five indigenous banks recently.
Mr. Osei-Mensah reiterated that under the “Greater Kumasi Facelift Road projects, new interchanges would be constructed at Anloga Junction, Santasi, Airport and Suame Roundabouts, in addition to asphalt relay and rehabilitation of other roads in the metropolis and other districts.
They include the Lake Road extension to be undertaken by Chico Construction, Adankwame-Ntensire Road, Mampong-Ejisu Road, Ofoase-Kokoben Road and Oyoko-Nsuta Road, he added.
The Minister added that 24 feeder roads would also be constructed as part of the project to tackle the frequent breakdown of vehicles to ease traffic congestion in the area.
Years of neglect have left many roads in places such as Obuasi, Daaban, Esereso, Tafo, Atonsu, Feyiase and Kwanwoma in deplorable condition.
Construction of drainage system has started in earnest on the Ampayoo-Ampabame Road in the Atwima-Kwanwoma District, whilst redesigning of roundabouts on the Ejisu-Kumasi Road and other rehabilitation works are currently underway.
The projects are believed to be part of eight out of 30 urban roads awarded to contractors as announced by the Regional Minister on May 2, 2018.
He told the press that the remaining 22 urban roads projects were in procurement processes.
“They will soon be awarded on contract for work to commence as part of efforts to improve most of the roads in Kumasi, including the ring-road project,” he indicated.
The Minister disclosed that the projects include a 2.5-kilometre asphalt relay from Tech Junction to Anloga Junction being undertaken by Core Construction, a 12.5-kilometre asphalt relay from Anloga Junction through Airport Roundabouts to Suame Roundabout to link the Sofoline Interchange to be undertaken by Semen’s Construction.
Mr. Osei-Mensah said the road from Sofoline Interchange through Santasi Roundabout to Ahodwo Roundabout to the Asokwa Interchange would also be rehabilitated.
“We are still engaging the sector minister in order to do the dualisation of that road to complete the ring road,” he stated.
“There is another contractor who will work from Bantama through to Manhyia, and the contractor has promised to be on site by the middle of this month,” he added.
The Regional Minister said the Ahinsan-Lake Road would also be dualised and extended by seven kilometers.
“Pothole patching, resealing, shoulder maintenance and repairs are also to be undertaken,” he revealed.
He added 13 feeder roads and highways would also be rehabilitated.
Mr Osei-Mensah asserted that regardless of the criticism, President Akufo-Addo remains committed to effectively developing the country.
From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi