We are spending $1 billion on roads – Prez. Mahama reveals

President Mahama said this at Yendi on Saturday when he cut the sod for the commencement of reconstruction of the 209 kilometre Oti Damanko-Nakpanduri Road, which is the lot five and six of the Eastern Corridor roads.The Oti Damanko-Nakpanduri Road, which is expected to be completed by October, 2016, is being financed jointly by the Brazilian Government and the Government of Ghana with a total amount of 240 million dollars and 50 million dollars respectively bringing the total contract sum to 290 million dollars.

The project, when completed, is expected to enhance economic activities between the Volta and Northern regions, improve the standard of living of the citizenry  and contribute to Government’s efforts at bringing development to the northern sector of the country.

President Mahama underscored the importance of road infrastructure in the development of the country and expressed Government’s commitment to construct and improve the condition of the road network in the country.

He, therefore, directed the Minister of Roads and Highways to travel to China within the next few days to secure funding to commence the reconstruction of the remaining stretch of the Eastern Corridor road; the Nakpanduri-Kulungugu road.

He said the Government had also planned to reconstruct the Western Corridor roads to enhance transportation.

President Mahama promised the chiefs and elders from all the traditional kingdoms in the Northern Region, who gathered to witness the sod cutting ceremony, that Government had designed the major roads in the region for upgrading to bituminous status and that work would start this year on some of them.

He commended the chiefs, elders and people of Dagbon for the prevailing peace in the area and said he was working with the eminent chiefs to resolve the Dagbon issue.

Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, the Minister of Roads and Highways, assured motorists and the general public that the Ministry would ensure the necessary environmental, safety and traffic management measures were taken to minimise inconveniences during the reconstruction period.

Kampakuya-Na Andani Yakubu Abdulai, the Regent of Dagbon, expressed appreciation to the Government for initiating numerous development projects across the country, especially in the Northern Region, despite the challenges it was facing.

He urged the contractors on the project to use quality and modern materials to reconstruct the road to enable it to stand the test of time.

-GNA