Contractors Abandon Roads �Gov�t Admits Failing To Meet Financial Obligations

GOVERNMENT HAS admitted it is facing challenges in meeting its financial obligations with some road contractors leading to deserting of some road projects in the country. Outgoing Minister for Roads and Highways, Alhaji Amin Sulemana made the admission on the floor of Parliament on Friday when he appeared before the Legislators to respond to series of questions on road projects in the country. Alhaji Amin responding to a question on roads in the Suhum Constituency, however, noted that government is in talks with the contractor for that area to move back to site after government�s failure to meet its obligation. Responding to what the ministry is doing about tarring the remainder of the Suhum town roads, the Minister stated that �engineering studies will be carried out in the area this year. Upgrading of the gravel section to bituminous surfacing may be considered as part of the implementation of the outcome of the engineering studies.� Touching on other roads within the Suhum Municipality, Alhaji Amin said all the roads have been programmed for routine maintenance in 2014, but for future programme, engineering studies will be carried out and based on the outcome of the studies the priority roads will be selected and considered for tarring in 2015. On what the Ministry is doing to create additional access roads into Tema Manhean to avoid heavy traffic congestion on the old road, he noted that the Department of Urban Roads identified three different alternative routes from which the most feasible one would be selected for construction. He explained that the first was from Mankoadze roundabout, towards the East, through the industrial area across the Chemu Lagoon to Tema Newtown. �It was observed that although it was the shortest among the three routes, it was not feasible because a section of the route passes through the property of Global Haulage Company which is being used as a truck terminal,� he said. The second route identified, according to the Minister was from TOR through VALCO to Tema Newtown. But, the issue with this route, he said was a section passing through the premises of VALCO however, considering the strategic importance of the company, it was suggested that the management of VALCO works out how best to tailor in the proposed road to their premises in order not to affect its operations. The third route was through TOR-Kpone road, turns to the south at Aluworks, through VALCO park and then through Tema Newtown cemetery but was found to be the longest among the routes with minimal interruptions with private installations. Alhaji Amin further explained that the Department of Urban Roads was undertaking further studies to select the most feasible and will also initiate engagements with all stakeholders to expedite action.