The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, has expressed satisfaction over the progress of work on the 35.5 km Nkawkaw-Noyem-New Abirem highway in the Eastern Region.
President Akufo Addo cut sod for rehabilitation of the road a year ago.
The project which also includes the upgrading of 3km Akoase town roads was valued at Ghc171,600,000.00 and is expected to be completed in 18 months.
The project which is being funded by Newmont and COCOBOD is currently 65% completed.
Inspecting the progress of work on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, the Eastern Regional Minister Seth Kwame Acheampong was hopeful completion of the project would open up economic activities and attract investments to the mining area.
“On behalf of President Akufo Addo, I can only thank them and encourage the Ghana Highway Authority who will be the eventual owner of the property when it’s fully developed. I believe and we all know the essence of this access road. It is an infrastructure that will help commuters from New Abirem to Nkawkaw and beyond. Economic activities are going to boom. I foresee a face-lift of development along the corridor immediately this road is completed “.
The Eastern Regional Director of Highways, Charles Adubofour was confident that the project will be completed by April 15, 2021.
“We are constructing a road from Nkawkaw to New Abirem which is 35.5KM and Koasi town roads which is 3:0km giving us a total of 38.5 km. As of now, we are around 65% complete. Close to 10km of the prima seal has been done. About 28Km of stabilized based completed. Hopefully, come December the whole stretch of road will receive a prima seal and by April 15, the whole stretch of road will be completed”.
The Vice President for Government Relations for Newmont Africa, Kwame Addo Kufour said the completion of the first-class road would enhance transformation in the area.
“one of our purpose as Newmont is to create value and improve lives. Now collaborating with COCOBOD in the construction of this 36km road between Nkawkaw and Abirem is an example of improving lives. It is going to turn what was a dusty bumpy trunk into a first-class road. It will touch the Communities in these areas and improve the lives of farmers. Make access to our sites easier and improve economic activities”.
The 35.5 km Nkawkaw-Noyem-New Abirem highway was awarded to contract under cocoa road projects during the previous administration to be completed within 24 months, but the contractor Eugo Terrano Construction company abandoned the site after the change of government in 2016 having graded road.
The contractor cited the government’s failure to honour its financial obligation.
The road, therefore, deteriorated badly attracting enormous outcry and demonstrations by residents living along the stretch of the road.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
