President Akufo Addo has directed the Ministry of Roads and Highways to as a matter of necessity keep a close eye on all road contractors who are currently executing government projects in order to ensure “value for money” spent by the State on Road infrastructure improvement.
Addressing a sod cutting ceremony at the site for the construction of the Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange, the President instructed the Minister responsible for Roads and Highways not to shy away from terminating the contracts of constructors who are not performing.
“I am directing the Ministry of Roads and Highways to monitor closely the performance of every contractor engaged by government and I have instructed the Minister not to hesitate to terminate the contracts of non performing contractors” President Akufo Addo said.
Release of Funds
In his address, the President noted that the Ministry of Finance has released an amount of 2.2 billion Cedis to the Roads and Highways Ministry to pay Contracts across the country.
“This will improve the cash flow of our contractors and ensure that those who have left their construction sites return to complete their projects,” the President observed.
Payment of Compensation
To the persons whose properties are likely to be affected as a result of the construction of the three tier Interchange, the President beseeched them saying, “I appeal to all those who’s properties might be affected by the various projects to cooperate with the Ministry of Roads and Highways and other relevant State institutions in assessing the compensation due them”.
“We shall ensure that fair and adequate compensation is properly paid to all persons for such properties” the President added.
Roads and Highways Minister
Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako-Attah in his statement at the ceremony appealed for maximum support and cooperation for the contractors during the period of the construction works.
“Traffic management measures shall be put in place by the Contractors and supervisors to ensure that minimal disruptions are made to trafic flows during the construction period. I will want to urge the Contractor to undertake a lot of night time work so as to complete the works on time and reduce the inconvenience to the travelling public.
The Ministry of Roads and Highways shall ensure that the works shall be undertaken to the standards and specifications of the Ministry and the good people of this country given the value for money under this investment” Minister Kwasi Amoako-Attah said.
The Obetsebi Lamptey Circle Project
The Obetsebi Lamptey Circle is a key intersection in the arterial road network in Accra. It is part of the Ring Road system and located at the intersection of four major arterials: the Kaneshie Mallam Road (Dr. Kofi Busia Highway), the Ring Road West and the Graphic Road.
The peak hour traffic is more than 8,000 vehicles /hour. Average speeds at peak periods is less than 15km/hr. Major delays are recordcd by commuters going through the roundabout. This is compounded by the free flow of traffic from the Ring Road Flyover.
The Construction of the Obctsebi Lamptey Interchange is a priority of the Ministry of Roads and Highways in addressing the mobility challenges along the Ring Road West and the Graphic Kaneshie Mallam Corridors in Accra.
The Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange will be constructed as a three-tier interchange with the ground level being a roundabout, the second tier being an interchange between Graphic Road Kaneshie Mallam Road and the third tier, a flyover on the Ring Road West (From the Royal House Chapel International Church to the Central Mosque at Abossey Okai).
Major drainage structures around the interchange shall be rehabilitated and enlarged/upgraded taking into consideration factors on climate change.
Provision shall be made for walkways and cycle paths on the roads around the Interchange.
Project Cost & Contractors
The Project is estimated to cost 135 million dollars and will be executed by QGMI (Queiroz Galvão) a global infrastructure company with services specialised in the development, financing and execution of transport projects, urban mobility, water and sewerage, energy and industrial building.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Wilberforce Asare
