Gov't halts Sofoline Interchange project over lack of funds - Napo

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, is alleging that government has abrogated the Sofoline interchange project with the Chinese Construction Company, China Geo Engineering Corporation.

He said government has officially written to managers of China Geo Engineering Corporation they have terminated the contract for lack of funds.

“Government has officially written to the company to abrogate the contract because they say they have no money. This is the same government that says it loves the people of Ashanti region. The project is also not complete”, he disclosed on Abusua Nkomo hosted by Kwame Adinkra.

According to him, President John Dramani Mahama does not mean well for the people of the Ashanti Region citing the termination of contract with contractors working on the Sofoline interchange as an example.

The project which was being executed by the Department of Urban Road under the Ministry of Roads and Highways is the biggest interchange in West Africa and when completed, would ease the road traffic congestion in Kumasi, and enhance transportation in the Ashanti region.

The Sofoline Interchange project which started in 2007, should have been completed in 2010, but had delayed for more than five years due to the variation on the design and delay by the government to pay the contractors.

The $150-million project being financed by the government of Ghana, involves works such as the construction of the two interchanges at Sofoline and Komfo Anokye Hospital, reconstruction of an 11-kilometre six-lane dual carriageway and five under- passes for the pedestrians.