Kumasi, June 11, GNA - The government has secured a loan of about 97 million dollars to enable it continue with the Boankra Inland Port Project in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality of Ashanti.

Mr. Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament (MP) for Ejisu-Juaben, who announced this, said the loan was meant for the laying of railway lines, construction of access roads in the ports and warehouses.

He was answering a question on why the project which commenced many years ago was behind schedule at this year's Ashanti Regional People's Assembly held in Kumasi.

The Foreign Minister pointed out that the existing railway lines linking the port were outmoded and therefore needed replacements as well as the construction of new ones to help facilitate business activities upon completion of the project.

Mr. Osei-Adjei attributed the delay of the project to lack of funds which he said made it difficult for any meaningful work to be executed at the site, adding however that all things being equal work on the port was expected to progress steadily as the government was seriously sourcing funds for the speedy of the project.

He was hopeful that when completed the project would generate the needed employment for the youth in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality and its environs and therefore appealed to the private sector to collaborate with government for its successful completion.

Mr. Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, the Regional Minister, said drainage works executed in the region within the last seven years totaled 179.89 kilometers at the cost of 14,321,398.54 million Ghana Cedis. He indicated that areas which benefited from these works included Suame-Kropo, Suame-Kotoko, Adiembra, Daban, Kwadaso-Nsuom, Tarkwa-Maakro, Gyinyase and Asuoyeboah. On street lights, the Regional Minister said the length of road provided with street light within the period measured 9.90 kilometers, saying the entire project cost 731,880 Ghana Cedis. Mr. Owusu-Ansah said the region was currently benefiting from four projects which comprise drilling of pore-wholes with pumps in all the districts and that they were being funded by the Danish and German governments. 11 June 08