The Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Isaac Adjei Mensah, has cut the sod for the commencement of the asphalting of the Axim Town Roads in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region.
The ceremony held in Axim according to the Deputy Minister, is to complete and enforce the statement made by the President in his recent state of the nation address.
The President in his recent State of the Nation address stated that “in the Western Region work (Asphalt overlay) is being done on the Tarkwa, Axim and Elubo town roads.”
However, some youth in Axim, Tarkwa and Elubo were infuriated by the statement.
Those in Axim in an earlier interview with Citi News wanted the president to be present to see the contrast for himself.
Scores of people in and around Axim on Tuesday joined the Deputy Roads and Highways Minister, the Western regional minister, Paul Evans Aidoo and the chiefs and people of Axim, to observe the sod-cutting.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways, Isaac Adjei Mensah, noted that, the President did not mislead the people when he said works were ongoing on the Axim, Elubo and Tarkwa town roads.
“People misconstrued what the president said. He did not say construction works were being done. He said works were being done. You know, before physical works are done, a lot of procurement and contracting procedures must be followed. And you do not say construction of roads begin only when you see machines on site. So today’s sod cutting ceremony is to complete the processes and to begin the physical construction which will form part of restoring Axim to its glorious days,” Mr. Isaac Adjei Mensah said.
President of the Axim Youth Alliance, Kofi Arko Nokoe, who had earlier staged series of protests over the deteriorating nature of the Axim town roads, expressed optimism that the roads will see a major improvement.
The Western Regional Minister, Paul Evans Aidoo, said engineers who disrupt the work will be deal with.
“If we identify that you do not have positive mindset for Axim, and because the contractor (Justmoh Constructions) have a limited time your behavior will disrupt the works, in consultations with the chiefs, I will have you put behind bars in Sekondi, and then release you after the works are completed.
In summary, a total of 10km asphalt overlay is expected to be constructed in phase 1 of the project from Ayisakro on the main Takoradi Elubo Highway to Axim, and additional phases within a period of one and half years from March 2016.
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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana