Wednesday, August 19, 2023, Minister of Roads and Highways, Governs Kwame Agbodza, delivered a significant briefing to Maripoma Enterprise Limited regarding the critical project of completing the Tema Motorway by 2027. The Minister underscored the contractor’s responsibility to accelerate work and to strategically utilize nighttime operations to minimize traffic disruption, a crucial factor in the project’s success.
Mr. Agbodza stated that the contractor must significantly increase activity and to consider working around the clock, particularly during disruptive construction phases. He emphasized the importance of maximizing the project’s pace and exploring the potential for 24-hour operation to address the ongoing traffic congestion along the busy stretch of the Tema Motorway. This call follows an inspection of other government infrastructure projects in the Greater Accra Region.
He acknowledged improvements since his previous visit, noting that the pace of work has already exceeded 10% since the last inspection. He acknowledged that Maripoma has completed a major bridge ahead of schedule and without incident, highlighting the contractor’s capability to deliver projects quickly while maintaining safety. Furthermore, he commended Maripoma for their successful completion of a significant bridge on the Tema Motorway, noting it was completed without incident, even during the bridge’s intersection usage.
Mr. Agbodza also addressed concerns about the risk to public safety, particularly given the interchange’s 24/7 operational status. He stated that the project’s success demonstrated that the contractor could operate efficiently without compromising public safety. He urged the contractor to increase activity further and to capitalize on the government’s 24-hour economy policy, suggesting a shift towards prioritizing nighttime construction to alleviate traffic delays. He further stated that the government had paid over 23 billion to road contractors, with a significant portion dedicated to inherited arrears, indicating a substantial commitment to road infrastructure.
He emphasized that the 23 billion payment represents a significant commitment to road infrastructure, with the government expecting tangible results by the end of 2027. The Minister stressed that the government cannot commit all available funds to roads because it also has to finance other critical sectors, including health and education, as well as salaries and debt obligations. The government had also made significant payments to the DDEP programme, which included a further GH¢10 billion payment.
He reiterated that the government’s goal is to meet its financial obligations while continuing with infrastructure projects. He also acknowledged that the project will be completed by the end of 2027, and the Minister urged contractors to justify the investment through the successful completion of projects that demonstrate value and impact.
Mr. Agbodza responded to concerns regarding government spending on roads, stating that road infrastructure is only one part of the country’s financial obligations. He explained that the government could not commit all available funds to roads because it also had to finance other critical sectors, including health and education, and salaries. He pointed out that the government had also made significant payments to the DDEP programme, with a further GH¢10 billion payment. The Minister also added that the project will continue with infrastructure commitments, and the focus is on ensuring the public is aware of the government’s spending.
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Source: MyJoyOnline
