Amasaman (G/A), June 19, GNA - The 17.4 kilometre Ofankor-Nsawam two-lane dual carriageway financed from a Chinese interest free loan facility of 28 million dollars was formally inaugurated on Monday.

As part of the Accra - Kumasi Highway, the road which used to be a single lane is the busiest highway in the country, making it an important commercial link between the middle portion of the country and the Capital City as well as the neighbouring landlocked countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

The scope of works included the construction of a 20 metre-long flyover bridge over the railway line near Ofankor in addition to pedestrian walkways, bus bays and road safety facilities. It has a maximum axle load design for 13 tonnes.

President John Agyekum Kufuor and the visiting Chinese Premier, Mr Wen Jiabao, jointly performed the inaugural ceremony.

The President, who expressed satisfaction with the quality of job done by the contractors, said the completion of the project should urge his Government to its goal of a dual carriageway all the way to Kumasi. He said: "The speed and high quality of work with which the contractors, Chinese Railway Engineering Co-operation, have executed this project convince us that they must remain and be supported to contribute to the completion of the 91dualisation=94 of the entire road."

The project started on June 18, 2004 and was completed two months ahead of schedule.

President Kufuor noted the high quality performance of Chinese firms working on various projects in the country such as roads, sports stadiums, housing, storm drainages and offices and said Ghana would want to engage them to continue as contractors in its many infrastructure development programmes.

He, therefore, asked the Chinese Government to give those companies the necessary support to continue their businesses in the country, adding that, their success would be to the mutual benefits of the two countries.

Mr Wen on described the project as a symbol of the friendship between his country and Ghana.

He promised that China would remain sincere in its support for the socio-economic development efforts of the country. Dr Richard Anane, Minister of Transportation, appealed to motorists and pedestrians to be safety conscious.