Govt will construct more roads –Prez Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday announced that his administration would build more roads to open up the country in all aspects of development.

"We are working on many road projects to open up the country to reduce road traffic accidents, boost economic activities, and bring foodstuffs to the market centres with ease."

President Mahama announced this during his third annual state of the nation adders on the floor of parliament.

"Despite the large number of road projects underway, there still remains a lot to be done in the sector. There is however considerable evidence to show that no effort is being spared to fix the country’s roads. This year we are beginning what would be the single largest intervention in the road sector in this country."

He said “the project would see investments of about GH¢1 billion in roads, commencing this year and ending in 2019 during my second term in office.”

These projects he said would be funded with a mix of Cocoa infrastructure fund financing and Government of Ghana budgetary support.

He said in the Western Region, work was progressing steadily on the 110km Agona Junction- Elubo road, the 94km Tarkwa-Bogoso-Ayamfuri road and the 52km Ayamfuri- Asawinso roads.

He said other roads works in the region that would see intensified work include; Sefwi-Bekwai-Eshiem, Sefwi Wiawso-Akontombra, Prestea- Samreboi, Benchema-Oseikojokrom and the Juabeso- Bodi- Akontombra roads.

In the Sekondi- Takoradi Municipality, President Mahama said 20 kilometres of the town roads had been asphalted while work is about to start on another 25 kilometres.

He said construction works was also ongoing on the Kansaworodo bypass, Fijai bypass and Ntankofo link to help improve access within the twin city

President Mahama said work had resumed on lots 2 and 4 of the Eastern Corridor Road in the Volta Region and the Asikuma Junction-Kpeve, Dodo Pepesu- Nkwanta, Nkwanta-Oti Damanko stretches would be worked on.

He said a number of roads had meanwhile been completed in the region and others ongoing.

"These are: the Sogakope-Battor, Juapong-Fodzoku- Torgome, Kete Krachi-Buya, Ho-Fume, Worawora- Dambai, Bame- Dzolokpuita-Kpedze, Ho-Adidome, Adutor-Akutukope, among others."

The others, he said were Metrikasa-Havedzi, Golokwati-Wli-Hohoe roads, Tadzewu town roads, and the Hohoe town roads.

In the Greater Accra Region, President Mahama said various road projects were visible to all regular users of the roads.

"The East Legon enclave roads have been resurfaced and others constructed. The Kwame Nkrumah Interchange is changing the landscape of the centre of Accra while works on the Giffard (El Wak) Road is progressing smoothly. Even before it is opened fully to traffic, the benefits of the 37 – La Palm junction road are been felt."

He said the Awoshie- Pokuase Road had been opened to traffic pending the final completion of works and other ancillary social intervention projects like markets, a hospital, schools and a lorry park.

"Also ongoing in Accra are the Burma Camp Road Phase 1 and 2, the Spintex Road bypass, the Nungua-Sakumono Beach Road and the Ashaiman Highway Road."

President Mahama said government would this year, commence work on the redevelopment of the Accra-Tema Motorway into a six-lane highway with interchanges.

"Resurfacing works will also take place on roads in North and South Kanda, James Town, Adabraka and Mamprobi."