Reconstruction and expansion works on the 17.85 kilometre Ofankor-Nsawam dual-carriage road will be completed in July next year.
The resident engineer of the project, Thomas David Arthur, gave the assurance when the Minister for Roads and Highways, Mr Akwasi Amoako-Atta, paid a working visit to the project site on Thursday in Accra.
The visit was to enable the minister and his team acquaint themselves with progress of work and also get first-hand information on teething challenges confronting the contractor and ways to address them.
The minister was accompanied by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr Alhaji Awullo Abass, and other directors of the Ghana Highway Authority, the Department of Feeder and Urban Roads as well as the Ga North Municipal Chief Executive and officials of the Assembly.
According to Mr Amoako-Atta, the first part, which is the Ofankor to Pokuasi stretch with about 30 per cent work progress, would be completed in March this year.
He said the stretch that involves the relocation of utilities would be completed by the end of the year instead of the scheduled July 2024 date.
The GH¢ 341.48 million project awarded to Maripoma Enterprise Limited involves the construction of a two-km road with eight lanes as well as a 16.85 km road of 10 lanes from Ofankor to the White House stretch.
An additional two lanes will be added to the dual carriageway with extra two service lanes for adjoining communities.
Additionally, three extra lanes each will be added to the Pokuase to Nsawam dual road to make it five on each side with the provision of nine footbridges and underpasses, wider drainage, street lights, road signs and pedestrian walk ways.
Mr Amoako-Atta said the retention walls of the extra lanes were under construction and the demolition of affected properties was yet to take place.
He commended the contractor for the commitment exhibited, and cautioned that properties along the stretch in the right of way would not be allowed to delay the project.
Mr Amoako-Atta asked the consultant and the valuation officers to treat all affected persons with human face and dignity and complete the project ahead of schedule.
“In road projects, properties are always affected but this does not also mean we should not improve the road network towards improving the socio-economic development of the country, “he added.
Mr Amoako-Atta said adequate provision had been made for the payment of compensation to affected property owners, some of whom have been paid already.
He said, “It is not government’s intention to cause the suffering of anyone on the execution of the project”.
Mr Amoako-Atta commended the Ga North Municipal Chief Executive, Simons Sekyim, for supporting the Ministry in addressing issues of affected properties.
BY LAWRENCE VOMAFA-AKPALU
