Long stretches of the project have been abandoned in recent months, with contractors citing a lack of funds for their inability to continue with the work.

[contextly_sidebar id=”5tEjRzJUjtaH7ctYOF8aDYnFuZGhLusK”]The situation has left the stretches in deplorable long hours on journeys that should otherwise have been taken in minutes.

However, the Ministry insists that they are working with the Ministry of Finance, which is currently preparing the 2018 budget, to ensure that the Eastern Corridor Road projects are earmarked for funding.

“As far as we are concerned, we are rescoping the work and looking at ensuring that by 2018, all these roads are captured in the 2018 budget, especially now when we are in the process of preparing a new budget,” a Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Anthony Karbo, told Citi News.

“Our Minister, the Minister of Finance and the relevant agencies are working around the clock to ensure that at least, more than 50% of the works on the road must begin and be factored into the 2018 budget.”

Anthony Karbo also stated that, the government will engage new road contractors to replace the current ones who have abandoned the project.

This, he believes, will enable work on the project to proceed in the new year, and alleviate some of the troubles of road users on the stretches.

“Many of the contractors have abandoned the sites because of lack of funds. We need to work out processes to ensure that those contractors disengage from the contracts and allow for new contractors to take over so that works on those projects can begin to go forward,” he said.

“Rescoping will also mean that the scope of work that they had would have to be looked at, vis a vis what they have done so far and at what point we want them to terminate for new contractors to take over.”

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Eastern Corridor roads to be captured in 2018 budget – Ministry appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

A statement from the Ghana Highway Authority and signed by the Ministry of Roads and Highways said only vehicles weighing up to 20 tons will be allowed to cross the bridge between 6am to 2pm each day during the period of the repair works.

[contextly_sidebar id=”97x1lYAsYdzLXRYmTt5H7FtKDalSibTp”]It has consequently advised motorists travelling to and from the Northern region to use the following alternative routes:

1. North bound (traveling from the south towards Tamale)

Route: Kumasi – Techiman – Wenchi – Sawla – Fufulso Junction – Tamale

2. South bound (traveling from Tamale towards the south)

Route: Tamale – Fufulso Junction – Sawla – Wenchi – Techiman

The authority said it will ensure it works diligently to ensure that the repair works are completed on time to ease the inconvenience the development might bring to commuters.

It noted that the bridge, “is located on the international transit corridor which serves Ghana and its landlocked neighbours and it is therefore of significant economic importance to sub-regional trade.”

The Authority further appealed to all stakeholders to cooperate with it in its quest to ensure the structural integrity of the bridge in protection of life and property.

“Motorists are advised to adhere to directional and safety signs that will be made available at appropriate locations on the corridor. As the adage, the best drivers are aware that they must beware. Let remember that safety first and normal speed meet every need,” it added.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citfmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

The post Buipe bridge to be closed for repair works appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

On a tour of some sections of the Eastern Corridor road network, the NPP’s Volta Regional Chairman, Peter Amewu, described the work done on as shoddy and unfair to residents of the region.

Citi News’ King Nobert Akpablie, was on the ground with some NPP Volta Regional executives, who highlighted the patches on the eroded portions of the road, as well as the potholes on sections of the six month-old Asikuma-Have road, purported to have an asphaltic concrete base.

“This is the legacy that John Mahma and his NDC are leaving to people of the Volta Region. An asphalt road constructed less than six months, they have to go back and cut the road because it is not properly done, it is shoddy.”

“…an asphaltic concrete laid within three months had to be cut to this extent to amend the road, there is a complete failure,” the NPP Volta Regional Chairman lamented.

Mr. Amewu also disputed claims that work was ongoing on some uncompleted sections of the Eastern Corridor stretch.

“We have been told that it is work in progress on this road. We will drive on the road, and ask yourself if you will even see a single grader or a bulldozer or any working equipment parked on this road,” he told the media.

Road has not been handed over to gov’t

Speaking on Eyewitness News however, the NDC’s Volta Regional Communications Director, Kafui Agbleze, said the Asikuma-Have road has not been completed yet, as the contractors are yet to hand over the road to government.

Thus, it is not out of the ordinary to see evidence of potholes and cracks in the roads, he explained.

“For the Asikuma-Have stretch of the road, the contractors have not finished work, and they have not handed over to the government… In every contract, when the contractor is on the roads, definitely, there may be some potholes or some cracks that may develop on the road and those that have been determined, they repair them.”

Mr. Agbleze further argued that, the criticism of the roads would only be waranted when the road is handed over to government.

“…But so long as the contractor has not finished work on the Asikuma-Have road, you cannot say that a road which has been done some six or few months back has developed potholes. If they hand over the road to the government, then people can begin to raise eyebrows,” he stated.

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Photos: King Nobert Akpablie

By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Volta disrespected with ‘shoddy’ Eastern Corridor road – NPP appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Started in the late President John Evans Atta Mills’ government, the Eastern Corridor road which traverse five regions in the country was to among other things open up business in that corridor by enhancing transportation of goods and services.

The entire road covers a distance of about 695 kilometers and connects major towns like Tema, Atimpoku, Asikuma, kpeve, Hohoe, Nkwanta, Bimbila, Yendi,Gushegu, Nakpanduri, Bawku and Kulungugu.

Since the inception of the project, residents of the region particularly the Asikuma- Kpeve section of the road have expressed worry over the delays in execution of the project.

In a recent petition to the Minister of Roads and Highways, the residents led by one Eddison Aloka, expressed concerns over the progress of work on the road and the rippling effects on the people.

The petition said: “It is with heavy heart, soul and mind that we the voice for the voiceless, the Traditional Leaders, the Presiding members from the assembly, their elected assembly members with the residents of Peki Adzokoe, Todome, Kpeve Goviefe, Woadze, Agate and Have, express our disillusionment over the manner in which the construction of the segments of the road that dots these towns have been left in an  ugly situation. Plying this uncompleted road stretch of Peki – Adzokoe, Todome-Kpeve-Goviefe, Woadze-Agate and Have of the Asikuma-Have 26km Lot Two in Volta Region, the story is the same.

Beyond the fact that some of these roads have remained uncompleted for almost six (6) years now, issues bordering on slow pace of work, inconsistent work schedules and near total abandonment have become the lot of this project. And indeed, this is causing a great deal of concern to us, residents. While many of us grumble about the inconveniences arising from this, our children and families are still complaining about the health hazards, given the cloud of dust that accompanies such constructional works. On occasions of rain, our woes are further deepened” it stated.

President John Dramani Mahama is expected to take his campaign tour to the Volta Region on Monday.

He will spend five days touring more than ten constituencies in the region.

But residents are threatening to welcome President John Dramani Mahama into the region with a demonstration to express their displeasure over the deplorable nature of the road.

“Beyond the hiccups, we are appealing and cajoling the President, through his Minister for Roads and Highways, to strike out deal with the contractor so as to return him to site before 15th October, 2016 to speedily work and complete this segment of the road before the general election in December. Anything less than this will leave us with no choice than to ill treat your government. Call me the crusader, the next time you hear of this name concerning this very project, it wouldn’t be a petition but action. It’s not a threat but don’t be surprised to see me and my group welcome your president as he takes his campaign to this region with demonstration, blocking of this segment of the road and, burning tyres. That may be a repeat of Ghana’s 28th February crossroad. The crusader will sacrifice” it further stated.
BELOW IS THE FULL STATEMENT

Hon. Minister of Roads and Highway.
DEMONSTRATION LOOMS IN NDC WORLD BANK (VOLTA REGION)
Synonymous to the administration of the late John Evans Atta Mills and reignited by H. E John Mahama, the construction of the Eastern Corridor road which traverses basically five regions, remains a bureaucratic bottleneck on the minds and hearts of we, residents of the Volta region.
It is with heavy heart, soul and mind that we the voice for the voiceless, the Traditional Leaders, the Presiding members from the assembly, their elected assembly members with the residents of Peki Adzokoe, Todome, Kpeve Goviefe, Woadze, Agate and Have, express our disillusionment over the manner in which the construction of the segments of the road that dots these towns have been left under ugly situations. Plying this uncompleted road stretch of Peki – Adzokoe, Todome-Kpeve-Goviefe, Woadze-Agate and Have of the Asikuma-Have 26km Lot Two in Volta Region, the story is the same.
Beyond the fact that some of these roads have remained uncompleted for almost six (6) years now, issues bordering on slow pace of work, inconsistent work schedules and near total abandonment have become the lot of this project. And indeed, this is causing a great deal of concern to us, residents. While many of us grumble about the inconveniences arising from this, our children and families are still complaining about the health hazards, given the cloud of dust that accompanies such constructional works. On occasions of rain, our woes are further deepened.
Our drivers who summon the courage to risk this road have sad stories to tell; it is either their cars get stuck in the muddy road or the shaft of their cars develops problems. In fact, the bad state of the road has made our drivers regular visitors to mechanics. Others will practically stay in the mud repairing their vehicles. Sadly enough, this road is the major connecting artery to Northern Volta particularly Dambai and Kete-Krachi among other communities.
An undulating, erosion-ridden road is another reality that faces us, residents. Before the junction at Kpeve from Todome, by the left side, heaps of earth excavated from the drains stare one in the face. It occupies a stretch on that portion, thus reducing the size of the road and each time it rains, the road becomes nothing but impassable, muddy and slippery.
Awarded in September 2011, the contractor, G.S International Developer GH Ltd, dug massive drainage on both shoulders of the road, yet the accompanying flood from rains pours on the road and other adjoining houses, churches, and schools. The story of TODOME to KPEVE segment of the Asikuma-Have stretch of the Eastern Corridor road cannot be told by mere spoken words.
Hon. Minister, this stunt project, for over five (5) years now, apart from killing people through motor accidents, the better part of the air we breathe comes from dust occasioned by the uncompleted road. This same thick dust emanating from the uncompleted road project has as well provided emergency brown coloured hairs for travellers, vehicles, buildings, tricycles and motorcycles. Only one question we wish to ask…Has government terminated the contract?
This is a painful question because amidst these entire visitation of pain on we residents of these areas, not even the contractor nor his vehicles are available at site. They have vacated site for several months now, everything has come to a halt! Could this also be one of the tunabu (never come to completion) projects in the region? This same project was used for campaign in 2012, as is being used now in 2016. Are we going to see it used as bait for the electorates to vote the party again in 2020 to power? Till when will projects in the Region waiting for the second coming of Christ stop? We have been fooled and betrayed enough!
Hon. Minister, we no longer wear our white shirts (not even for white occasions). We get to work three hours later for a journey that could have taken 45 minutes. The contractor has gone for some time now. Please, tell him to complete what he has started. Beyond the hiccups, we are appealing and cajoling the President, through his Minister for Roads and Highways, to strike out deal with the contractor so as to return him to site before 15th October, 2016 to speedily work and complete this segment of the road before the general election in December. Anything less than this will leave us with no choice than to ill treat your government. Call me the crusader, the next time you hear of this name concerning this very project, it wouldn’t be a petition but action. It’s not a threat but don’t be surprised to see me and my group welcome your president as he takes his campaign to this region with demonstration, blocking of this segment of the road and, burning tyres. That may be a repeat of Ghana’s 28th February crossroad. The crusader will sacrifice.
Long live Ghana.

EDDISSON ALOKA
________________
The crusader

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By: King Norbert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Volta residents threaten to welcome Mahama with demo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The two were in lanes 3 and 5 and they topped the field that had seven athletes.

However, both athletes will not make it to the semi-finals because of the times they recorded in the heats.

Abeiku Jackson finished with a time of 27.21 seconds while Kweku Addo had a time of 27.80 seconds and the times place Jackson 33^rd while Addo is 39^th on the overall ranking after the 8 heats.

The top 16 athletes recorded times of between 23.17 seconds (recorded by Benjamin Proud of England) and 25.16 seconds (recorded by Miles Munro of Guernsey)

Another member of the swimming team, Ophelia Swayne, will take part in Heat 3 of the women’s 50m butterfly that will be held on the 26^th of July at the Tollcross Swimming Centre.

Abbiw Jackson and Nana Kwabena Antwi will be participating in the third heat of the men’s 50m freestyle on the 28^th of July.

Abbiw will also swim in Heat 4 of the men’s 100m freestyle on the 26^th of July.

In cycling, Ghana’s Jedidiah Amoako-Ackah failed to qualify for the next stage of the men’s sprint qualifying.

He came 26^th with a time of 12.676. The event was won by Matthew Glaetzer of Australia with a time of 9.779.

He will have another opportunity to compete for medals when he goes for the Men’s 1000m time trial and the Keirin events scheduled for the 26^th and 27^th of July respectively.

By: Nathan Quao/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Commonwealth Games update: Early slips for Ghana in swimming and cycling appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.