The Member of Parliament for the Kwadaso Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Dr. Kingsley Nyarko has made a passionate appeal to Government to make room in the 2023 Budget for the completion of roads earmarked for construction in his constituency.
These roads include the 1 Km Tanoso Market – Apatrapa collector road which connects the Tanaso Palace and Apatrapa communities, and the 1.7 Km Tanoso Palace – Atwima Takyiman collector road linking the Tanoso Palace to Atwima Takyiman suburb.
“I want to plead with him that one Kilometer road for 15 years, something must be done. I am pleading with him to make sure that those living within that enclave are helped because the pain and burden for 15 years, I think are unfortunate and very sad,” the MP appealed.
The Honorable Member of Parliament for Kwadaso made the appeal on the Floor of Parliament on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 during question time where the Minister for Roads and Highways, Amoako Atta appeared to respond to some Parliamentary questions pertaining to his Ministry.
In his answer to the MP’s question about when these roads in the Kwadaso constituency are scheduled for completion, the Minister for Roads and Highways indicated that, his outfit is taking the necessary steps to get the contractor who has since abandoned work, back on site to complete the outstanding works after completing only 41% of the project.
According to the Minister, the steps being taken includes finding out from the contractor, the obstacles which have made it difficult for him to complete the project which commenced on 13th August 2019 for completion by 12th February, 2021.
However, in his supplementary question, Dr. Kingsley Nyarko indicated that he had already spoken to the contractor who related to him that he is being owed by Government for work done so far.
“Mr. Speaker, I have spoken to the contractor De-Johns and he has told me that he is being owed an amount of GHC 5 million. For me this is the major obstacle and I want to ask the Minister if he is ready to make provision in the 2023 Budget to cater for this particular facility?
“This road started in the year 2007, it stalled and re-awarded in 1019; 15 good years, one-kilometer road. I want to ask him if he is willing to make room in the Budget of 2023 to cater for this facility?” he quizzed.
The Minister however, could not affirm whether these roads would be prioritized in the next Budget apart from indicating that there is a general willingness of Government to construct all roads in the country with the availability of funds.
Responding to another question by the Member of Parliament on the Tanaso – Abuakwa road in the Kwadaso municipality, the Minister related that, “The reconstruction of the Kumasi-Sunyani highway commenced in August 2007 for completion by 2010. However, the project was stalled due to delayed payment of work done and delays in payment of work done and delays in payment of compensation to affected property owners.
“The outstanding works on the stalled project were packaged and awarded as “The Reconstruction of Sunyani Road Ph. 2” in August 2020”. The section of the highway from Tanoso to Abuakwa forms part of this current project.”
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
