Accra, Feb 26, GNA- The Ministry of Roads and Transport through the Department of Feeder Roads is constructing 29 bridges and 15 major box culverts in the Western Region.

However, 27 of the bridges and all the 15 box culverts have been completed and the remaining two bridges are in advanced stage of completion.

Dr. Richard Anane, Minister of Roads and Transport, said this on Thursday in Parliament, when answering a question from Major Samuel Amponsah (Rtd) NPP-Mpohor Wassa East, whether the Ministry has any programme to ensure that the road network in the Western Region was tackled on a more sustainable and permanent basic.

Dr. Anane said, "steel components have been procured for the installation of additional 23 bridges in the region."

He said Government is currently negotiating with the Dutch Government to supply components for the installation 91 more bridges throughout the country.

He noted that the Western Region has the highest rainfall pattern and this has adversely affected road construction activities in the region.

"Drainage difficulties and the rolling nature of the topography constitute the bottlenecks on the roads in the Western region", he added.

He said due to the wet nature of the region the ministry has a policy to develop all whether roads in recognition of the region's contribution to economic development in the country.

Dr. Anane stressed that spot improvement and culvert construction works are ongoing on the following roads, Prestea-Samreboi, Elubo-Asemkrom, Sefwi Wiawso-Akontombra-Dadieso and Manso Amenfi-Asankragwa.

The rest are Aboso-Huni Valley, Princess Junction-Princess Town, Kramokrom-Dadieso and Dadieso-Africa-New Debiso.

He said under the trunk road development programme, reconstruction works are currently going on the 54km Manso Amenfi to Asankragwa and the 62.4 km Axim Junction to Tarkwa roads.

He stated that construction works on the kilometre five to 49 of the Sefwi Wiaso-Oseikojokrom road would be commenced in the second quarter of this year.

The Minister said to safguard the huge investment made in the road development programme, axle load weighbridges would be constructed at Sefwi Wiawso and Agona Junction.

Dr. Anane said with the support of Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) about 14 kms of arterial roads in Sekondi and Takoradi would be upgraded. These include Inchaban, Adiembra and Africa (Harbour) roads.

In another question by Mr. Yaw Effah-Baafi NDC-Kintampo as to what steps the Ministry was taking to expedite action on the rehabilitation of the Amoma-Junction-Amoma-Agyina feeder road. The minister replied that the Amoma Junction-Amoma section is engineered and in fair condition but the stretch from Amoma-Agyina was in poor condition.

He said the road has been awarded on contract for spot improvement and reshaping works to Messrs Kouttam Construction Works. He emphasized that under the contract, grading, excavation of ditches, culvert desilting and construction would be completed within eight months.