Asukawkaw (V/R), July 24, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday performed the ceremony to signal formal commencement of reconstruction work on the 47.5-million-GH-Cedi Kpando-Worawora-Dambai Phase III road project designed to serve as an alternative link between the Volta and the Northern regions. The 70-kilometre stretch, being built into a two-lane single carriageway, starts from the outskirts of Asukawkaw in the Krach East District and terminates at the ferry crossing site at Dambai. It is scheduled for completion within 42 months and funded by the Government.

Shinsung Engineering and Construction Company Limited of South Korea are undertaking the job.

President Kufuor announced additional road projects lined up to boost the socio-economic activities of the people in the region, work on these, had been programmed to begin before the end of the year. Advertisements for bids had already gone up and they include Accra-Aflao, a new corridor linking Akatsi to Akanu and the inter-Joint Border Post with Togo.

He said the European Union (EU) has also made available funds to do the 52-kilometre Dodi Pepesu Nkwanta road.

President Kufuor noted that the Volta Region has enormous potential for tourism as it abounds in eco-tourist sites like the limestone caves at Logba, Wli waterfall, the monkey sanctuary at Afatome and the Afadjato Hills, the highest point in the country.

The Government, he said, fully appreciated the critical need to develop and maintain the access roads to these sites so as to attract and encourage local and foreign investments in the tourism industry. He said the mileage of road infrastructure work undertaken within the past seven and a-half years demonstrated the Government's commitment.

Dr Richard Anane, Minister of Transportation, said the road, on completion, would ease the transport difficulties experienced by communities living within the corridor. Besides, it would enhance the efficient administration of the region as it runs south-north through communities engaged in agricultural and fishing activities. It again has the added advantage of facilitating inter-regional trade and the movement of people, goods and services between the southern and northern parts of the country. Mr Kofi Dzamesi, the Regional Minister, described the project as "a dream, come true."

Nana Mprah Besumura II, Omanhene of Krachi Traditional Area, expressed gratefulness to the Government for delivering on development promises made to the area, citing, the upgrading of their Senior High School into a model one, the creation of the Krachi East and West Districts and the road project.