Accra, June 2, GNA - Dr Richard Anane, Road Transport Minister, on Friday told Parliament that President John Kufuor did not promise the people of Hwidiem in the Asutifi South Constituency in 2001 that the Goaso-Tepa Junction Road would be asphalted.

He said the asphalting of the road would, however, be considered under a future plan in 2007.

Dr Anane was answering a question in Parliament that stood in the name of Alhaji Collins Dauda, (NDC-Asutifi South) as to when the promise made by the President Kufuor to the Hwidiem people would be fulfilled. The Minister said it was the people of Hwidiem, who put in the request to the President during his visit to the area.

In response to another question, Dr Anane said the Asato-Apesokubi feeder road in the Volta Region was awarded for rehabilitation in June 2003, at a contract sum of 3.4 billion cedis under the highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) funding.

He said the project, which was scheduled for completion in September 2004 was behind schedule and it "appears the delay in the execution of the project is due to the managerial factor. The Department of Feeder Roads has recommended for the termination of the contract". He said it was pertinent to, however, note that this project was located in a difficult and rocky terrain.

"The Ministry will advise the Regional Tender Review Board to terminate the project as soon as possible. Due to the importance of the road it will be repackaged for re-award immediately the termination is effected."