Business News of Monday, 10 November 2003

Source: GNA

Ministry of Roads and Highways signs MOU with two Chinese firms

Accra Nov. 10, GNA- The Ministry of Roads and Highways on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with two Chinese construction firms to undertake a feasibility and engineering design studies on improving some selected roads into trunk roads.

The major commercial roads are Accra-Cape Coast, Tema-Aflao, Kumasi Techiman, Accra-Kumasi.

The two firms, China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) and CNT Construction Investment Limited (CNTCI) which would provide financial packages, personnel, equipment and other logistic for the execution project would also consider other commercial roads.

Dr Richard Anane, Minister for Roads and Highways, who signed on behalf of the Government of Ghana, said government recognizes the crucial role of roads and intends to dualised the under-listed roads. He said the project would also take into consideration the on-going construction on some of the major roads earmarked for the project. "The government's golden age of business cannot be actualised if the needed infrastructure are not put in place and in consonance with, the President prioritised investments."

Dr Anane said the ministry, through the Ghana Highway Authority would provide information and data as support for the detailed design and construction of the under-listed roads.

He said the ministry would also ensure transfer of Ghanaian counterparts and sharing of skills and knowledge for the execution of the project.

Dr Anane urged the two firms to regard Ghana as a business partner and pledged the Ministry's cooperation.

Mr He Nengjin, Vice President of CRCC noted that Ghana had the best investment environment and indicated their readiness to invest in the country.

He gave the assurance that their project would be of good quality and would be executed as scheduled.