Accra (Greater Accra) 20 May ?99

Mr Steve Senu Akorli, Deputy Minister of Roads and Transport, today reiterated his ministry's determination to improve the road network throughout the country.

Mr Akorli, who was answering questions in parliament about his ministry, therefore, assured Ghanaians that, as soon as funds are available, work on abandoned road projects will begin in earnest.

In answer to a question that stood in the name of Mr Emil Kwadzo Brantuo, NDC-Buem, the Deputy Minister who stood in for his minister, said the Hohoe-Teteman-Borada-Jasikan road is being designed in phases.

Mr Akorli stated that the first 16-kilometre stretch has been surveyed and designed, assuring people in the area that the next five-kilometre stretch has been surveyed and the design is in progress.

He said arrangements are being made to survey the last 12 kilometres this year while funds are being sought to begin constructional works.

The other question asked by Mr Krosby Mensah, NDC-Afram Plains North, was whether the minister was aware that the tarring of the Ekye-Amanfrom-Amankwa Tonu road in the Afram Plains District had come to a standstill.

Responding, the Deputy Minister assured the MP that the bitumen-surfacing contract of the road has been re-negotiated and approved by the ministry for work to start on the road.

On the improvement of the drainage system from the Donkorkrom Police Station to the Presbyterian Hospital, which is in a very deplorable state, Mr Akorli said engineering and design studies are on-going to improve the drainage system as part of the three-year planned rehabilitation project to gravel the 25-kilometre Donkorkrom-Bruden feeder road under the government of Ghana periodic maintenance programme.

Before the House adjourned, three papers were laid.

They were the Environmental Protection Agency Annual Report, a loan agreement of 20.4 million dollars between Ghana and the African Development Bank for the development of small-scale irrigation projects, and a loan agreement between Ghana and Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) for 4.10 million dollars for the rehabilitation of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital.