Construction work has begun on the deplorable Koforidua to Asesewa highway which extends to the Abuorso community.
The 62-kilometer road would receive bitumen surfacing, construction of bridges, culverts, and drains.
It is expected to be completed in two and a half years.
The project, linking four Municipalities and districts namely New Juaben South and Yilo Krobo Municipalities and Upper Manya Krobo and Fanteakwa North Districts are being executed by Marripoma Company Limited under the supervision of the Ghana Highways Authority.
Currently, clearing the shoulders of the road, pegging, and reshaping is ongoing.
The completion of the road will boost the local economy and trading activities in the famous Asesewa market will revive.
The Koforidua to Asesewa highway constructed in the 1990s by the late Jerry John Rawlings’ government deteriorated and became perilous for commuters.
The road was inundated with large potholes while many portions were washed away by erosion. Weeds and sand narrowed the road making it dangerous for two vehicles to drive past each other particularly at night.
The situation resulted in many crashes involving both vehicles and motorcycles.
Some drivers who ply the road lamented that “the road is bad. The potholes are widening while weeds taken over the road. Our vehicles have been damaging every now and then. Accidents have been happening as a result so we are pleading with the government to construct the road for us”.
Speaking to the District Chief Executive for Upper Manya Krobo, Felix Nartey Odjao however said all these challenges will be a thing of the past when construction is completed.
He said handing over acres of land for the construction site to the contractor has been done at Brepaw Kpeti community for construction of temporal shelters and other basic social amenities for the staff.
He said the contractor has also been introduced to the chiefs and people of all the beneficiary communities for support during the construction period.
The DCE was deeply grateful to President Akufo-Addo for listening to the plight of the people to have the road fixed.
Mr. Odjao said the people are predominantly farmers and have gone through a lot of difficulties in carting their farm produce to the market centers for sale due to the poor road network.
As a result of this, many farm produce is left rotten in the farms. The only few cars that ply the roads also add salt to the injury of the poor farmers by charging them exorbitant fares.
The DCE was optimistic that the construction of the road would boost the economic worth of the area and the nation at large, strongly bounce back the vibrant nature of the famous Asesewa and Bisa Markets, and help attract investors and tourists to the area.
Felix Odjao said the project, when completed would help minimize motor crashes and bring relief to the users especially, drivers who normally complain of frequent mechanical faults.
He however cautioned drivers to be careful and avoid speeding since construction work is ongoing and after completion to save lives.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Prosper Tsormana/ISD/Obed Ansah
