The Roads and Highways Minister, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has issued a firm directive to Maripoma Enterprise Limited, tasked with accelerating the completion of the Tema Motorway project by 2027, a crucial undertaking for reducing commuter travel times across Greater Accra Region. This directive underscores the government’s commitment to significantly bolstering transportation infrastructure within Ghana. The Ministry has emphasized a demanding pace of work, requiring increased activity and a near-constant operational focus, particularly extending construction hours to minimize disruption to traffic flow. Mr. Agbodza stated during a Wednesday inspection that the project’s current progress stands at approximately 10% completion, highlighting a need for accelerated progress. He acknowledged improvements since his previous visit, but stressed a critical requirement to increase overall activity to achieve the 2027 deadline. Specifically, the Minister underscored the importance of ensuring that the contractor adheres to a 24-hour economy policy, advocating for more disruptive construction activities during nighttime hours to minimize impacts on motorists. The directive includes a request for the contractor to undertake more disruptive construction activities, particularly during the night, to reduce the impact on the public. The government has allocated a substantial sum – exceeding GH¢23 billion – to road contractors, with a significant portion earmarked for inherited arrears. This figure represents a significant investment, and the Minister explained that the payments are intended to clear outstanding debts and enable contractors to resume and accelerate work on other infrastructure projects across the country. A key aspect of the strategy is the expectation that the contractor will deliver projects that justify the government’s investment, reflecting the significance of the project. The Minister also addressed concerns regarding the scale of government spending, noting that road infrastructure is only one component of the country’s overall financial obligations. He explained that the government is committed to managing its financial resources effectively while continuing with essential projects, including health, education, and salaries. Specifically, the Ministry has made significant payments in other sectors, including a further GH¢10 billion payment to the DDEP (Development and Economic Empowerment Programme) program, demonstrating a dedicated commitment to economic development. The Ministry’s stance reflects a clear understanding of the significant challenges facing the road sector, particularly the need to address congestion and ensure the smooth flow of traffic. The Minister further clarified that the 2027 deadline is a strategic priority, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving connectivity and reducing travel times for commuters. He urged the contractor to demonstrate their ability to deliver projects that are justifiable given the investment, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public confidence through tangible results.” The document also points out that the project’s completion is crucial for demonstrating the government’s commitment to addressing infrastructure challenges. The project’s success will be measured by the tangible impact on the country’s transportation network. The document also includes a counterpoint from Ofankor project where the government inherited a 78 million debt. Further details and implications of this situation are detailed in the text.””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
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Source: Adom Online
