Regional News of Wednesday, 29 August 2007

Source: GNA

Minister tours Circle-Achimota road construction site

Accra, Aug 29, GNA - Sheikh I.C. Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister, on Wednesday expressed satisfaction with the progress of work on the six-lane Kwame Nkrumah Circle-Achimota road, saying it would ease traffic on the route.

He said the construction of the road with major drainage systems had brought relief to households in the Alajo area, which in the past, were constantly displaced whenever there was heavy rainfall. "Alajo used to be in the news whenever it rained because there were often the loss of lives and property.

"My constituents are really happy with the project, because it has not only helped them save lives and property, but it has also eased traffic in the area," he told journalists during a tour of the project, valued about GH(400,000 (400 billion cedis) project.

Construction works on the road, which should have been completed by mid-March this year, has delayed due to issues relating to compensation of lost properties and additional design modifications. The Achimota Transport Terminal, with a car parking lot that can accommodate 300 vehicles, with an additional 500 "vehicle-holding bay", is also part of project.

The terminal has a health post, a police post, and a post office, pay toilets, commuter waiting rooms and canteens, among other facilities, to give comfort to the travelling public. Mr Kwabena Bimpong, deputy resident engineer for the project, said the Achimota Transport Terminal, would be handed over to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) soon.

He expressed the hope that the AMA would entrust the facility to a management company that would ensure its maintenance.