The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has appealed to President Nana Akufo-Addo to prioritize the start of the construction of Suame interchange project which seeks to check traffic and avoidable accidents on the Kumasi Major ECOWAS road.
Addressing a press conference today, Monday, 29 May 2023, in Kumasi, the Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly called “Wontumi” said the people in the region are yearning for the commencement of the project.
According to him, given the importance of the road and how dear it is to the hearts of the people of Kumasi, the project
will or unmake the ruling New patriotic Party (NPP) which is seeking re-election in the upcoming 2024 general election.
GHone News Checks from Kodie in the Afigye Kwabere district of Ashanti region confirmed the majority of the working equipment required for the project are currently at the project site.
A source among Rango Construction Limited responsible for the construction of the interchange disclosed the government rushed in cutting the sod for the project.
He explained they first had to conduct the soil test, valuation of properties that will be affected by the project, pay compensation package to the victims and give them eviction notice before sod cutting, stressing that the government in this case did the sod cutting before that’s why the project is delayed.
He added, that for them, they are ready but the wrong start of the project is the cause of the delay.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in October 2020 cut the sod for the construction of a four-tier Suame interchange which connects commuters from Krofom, Suame, Tafo, Bantama and Kejetia.
The project, if completed, will be the first four-tier interchange in the region and the second in the country, after the Pokuase Interchange in the Greater Accra Region.
However, eight months after the sod-cutting, earth lifting work is yet to commence although soil testing is ongoing.
While estate structures and shops which will be affected by the project from along the Suame ECOWAS road from Suame Police Station through to Maakro have been valued by private estate firm.
The work will determine a compensation package to be paid to property owners who will be evicted to pave way for the project.
The delay of the project continues to generate criticism from the residents in the region, particularly commercial drivers.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Isaac Bediako
