French agency approves funding for project

Page 17, June 30, 2009
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah & Daniel Nkrumah

THE French Development Agency, Agence France Development, has approved a funding of 30 million euro for the construction of the 15-kilometre Awoshie-Pokuase Road Project.
The amount forms part of the project’s estimated total cost of 92.41 million euros.
The Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Joe Kwashie Gidisu, who disclosed this in Parliament, said the African Development Bank (AfDB) was considering the provision of additional funding.
The government would also provide a counterpart funding of Gh¢8.5 million for the payment of compensation to owners whose property would be affected by the project.
Mr Gidisu, was answering a question posed by Mr Enerst Attuquaye Armah, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Trobu-Amasaman, who wanted to know when the project would begin.
The minister stated that tendering for the project would commence in April 2010, while construction was expected to begin in August, next year for an approximate duration of three years.
For his part, the MP for Nanton, Alhaji Iddrisu Abdul-Karim, Mr Gidisu enquired from the minister what plans his ministry had towards the maintenance of the main trunk road from Tamale through Nanton, Karaga and Gushiegu, which was currently in a very bad shape.
Answering the question, Mr Gidisu explained that the worst section of the road, which stretches from the Tampion Dam to Zilungu, was awarded to Shiraco Investment Company Limited on December 2008 for regravelling at the cost of Gh¢392,175.
He said due to poor performance by the contractor, Ghana Highways Authority had recommended the termination of the contract to allow for its repackaging.
Mr Gidisu also told the House that the AfDB had indicated its interest in providing funding for the reconstruction of the144-kilometre Fufulso-Damango-Sawla road.
Answering another question posed by the MP for Damango/Daboya, Mr Sammy Bavug Wusah, the minister explained that the ministry had requested Ghana Highway Authority to update the estimated cost of the project to enable the government submit a funding application to the AfDB for consideration.
He said it was expected that the reconstruction work would begin in the latter part of 2010, adding that routine maintenance works would continue to be carried out on the road this year.