Akyem-Apapam (E/R), March 16, GNA - The Chief of Akyem-Apapam, Osabarimah Okogyeaman Apagya Ofori IV supported by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Saturday drove an earth-moving machine on the Kyebi to Akyem-Apapam road to mark the commencement of work on the tarring of the road.

The 5.9 kilometre road is being constructed at a cost of 5.5 billion cedis, which would be founded by the British Department For International Development (DFID) and is scheduled for completion in 18 months.

Speaking at the ceremony Nana Akufo-Addo said it was only under the Government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that the Akyem Abuakwa area could witness real economic development.

He said, even though, all the developmental needs of the area could not be met at a go, one after the other and gradually, all the promises made to the people in the area by the NPP would be met. Nana Akufo-Addo said President John Agyekum Kufuor had promised to ensure free and fair elections to enable all Ghanaians to express their opinion in Election 2004 and expressed the hope that with the economic development that the Government had provided within its three years in office, Ghanaians would vote for President Agyekum-Kufuor to put the economy of the country on a sound footing. He expressed the appreciation of the chiefs and people of Abuakwa Constituency to the British Government for their support of development projects in the area.

The Minister of Roads and Transport, Dr Richard Anane said the Government would continue to perform sod-cutting ceremonies for the commencement of road projects to enable the beneficiary communities to demonstrate their appreciation of the project.

He explain that, it was at such functions that the donor community was able to appreciate the enthusiasm of the people over the support they were offering the country and that encouraged them to offer further support towards the developments of the country.

Dr Anane said this year, apart form the budgetary allocation, the Road Fund would be providing 164.1 billion cedis to the Department of Feeder Roads while the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Fund would also be supporting the Department with additional 80 billion cedis.

He appealed to the people on the Kyebi-Akyem Apapam road to co-operate with the contractor to enable him to complete the work early. The East Akim District Chief Executive, Mr Emmanuel Victor Asihene on behalf of the chiefs and people of the area thanked the Government, President Kufuor and DFID for coming together to ensure the construction of the road.