The Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, on Thursday said government has opened tenders to enable the first phase of the construction of the Mallam-Yamoransa road to start.

He said the first phase involves the relocation of road service facilities.

Vice President Mahama said the Japanese government had given 'strong indication' to finance the second phase that is the construction of the road.

Vice President Mahama said this when he paid a courtesy call on the Omanhene of Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta, as part of his three-day tour of the Central Region.

He said ''the government is mindful of that project so every effort would be made for its construction.''

The Vice President described Cape Coast as the "eye of the country" in terms of education and expressed the desire of the government to ensure that the area is upgraded to befit its status.

Vice President Mahama said the government had released four million dollars for rehabilitation works on Cape Coast water project.

He called on chiefs to see themselves as partners in development and should support the good cause of the government.

The Vice President later called on the Central Region Chief Imam, Alhaji Abubakar Hassan at the Kotokuraba Zongo in Cape Coast.