Sekondi April 10, -GNA-The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) on Thursday signed a 3.1 million Ghana Cedi contract with Messrs China Zhong Hao Ghana Limited for construction of storm drains in selected areas of the metropolis. The assembly also signed a contract with Derdra Limited to rehabilitate four public places of convenience at Kokompe and Market Circle in Takoradi and the Kwesimintsim Cargo Lorry Park at the ceremony. Mr Philip Kwesi Nkrumah, the Metropolitan Chief Executive, signed for the Assembly, while Mr Youmin Rao, a Project Manager of Messrs China Zhong Hao Ghana Limited initialled for his company. Mr William Halm, Managing Director of Derdra Limited signed for the company.

In a speech, Mr Nkrumah said the project formed part of the second phase of the Urban Environmental Sanitation Project being funded by the government and the World Bank. He said Messrs China Zhong Hao Ghana Limited is expected to complete the drain project in 18 months. Mr Nkrumah said the drains would be constructed in selected flood prone areas earmarked by the Metropolitan Drainage Master Plan for immediate attention. He said the drains to be constructed included the Kokompe-Adakope drain, Ashanti Road-Adakope drain, GWCL-Maersk drain, West Tanokrom main stream drain, West Tanokrom Tributary drain, Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital Branch drain and the Kansaworado-Effia Number 9 drain. Mr Nkrumah said the overall objective of the project is to improve drainage and to minimize flooding and associated drainages in the flood prone areas.

He advised beneficiaries of the project not to interfere with the work of the contractors because they have a work plan and schedule. Rather, they should channel their complaints and suggestions to the Municipal Development Collaborative Limited, the consultant of the project, he said. Mr Steve Amoaning-Yankson, the director of the consultancy company said the project would take off in about two weeks time.