Accra, July 3, GNA - The Amankwakrom to Agordeke feeder road in the Afram Plains has been programmed for tarring this year under the Road Fund Project in view of its strategic importance. The Volta Lake separates the Afram Plains (Kwahu North) District from the Kpandu District and the road links farming and fishing communities.

Dr Richard Anane, Minister of Roads and Transport said this on Thursday when Mr Joseph Tsatsu Agbenu, NDC- Afram Plains North asked when work on the Amankwakrom to Agordeke road would start. The Minister said people in the Kpandu District and its environs, mainly traders from the Greater Accra Region travel by pontoon across the lake from Kpandu Tokor in the Volta Region to Agordeke. He said the road therefore, augments the pontoon services and serves as a major link for commuters to the Afram Plains from the Volta Region. The contract for the works was signed this year and works are expected to commence soon for completion by July 2004.

In another development, the Minister said the Ministry was unable to start the construction of the two bridges on the River Oti now, in view of the huge financial implications and other competing priorities but that it may be feasible in the future. The cost of constructing reinforced concrete bridge with pile foundation of a span of one kilometre was estimated at 860 billion cedis and feasibility, engineering and design studies would have to be carried on the two crossing points to determine their viability.

Mr Francis Yaw Osei-Sarfo, NDC- Krachi asked the Minister what plans the Ministry has to provide reliable and sustainable pontoon services across the river Oti and Dakar Rivers at Kete-Krachi, Dambai and Grubi in the Krachi constituency. Dr. Anane said the crossing point on the River Oti was located on kilometre 136 from Kpandu to Dambai, the crossing point on River Dakar was on the Salaga to Bachin-Grubi to Chindiri road and the length of each crossing was approximately one kilometre. He said at present there are no bridges at the crossing points and the Volta Lake Transport Company operates a ferry between Dambai to Dodoikope on River Oti however there is no ferry operating between Grubi and Bachin on River Dakar.

The Minister said commuters could however, access the northern part of the country through the use of the Dambai to Tutukpene to Kechebi to Damanko road while travellers to the south from Dambai could use the Dambai to Asukawkaw to Worawora road.