Road Minister answers questions in Parliament

Accra, Nov. 11, GNA - The tarring of the second phase of the 16-kilometre Dodowa-Afienya road, in the Greater Accra Region, which is behind scheduled, has been re-programmed for completion by the end of this year.

The first phase of tarring was completed last year, however the second phase, awarded for tarring to Messrs Wilhelm at a contract price of 5.6 billion cedis in June last year and scheduled for completion in August this year, is behind scheduled.

Dr Richard Anane, Minister of Road Transport, said these in Parliament in answer to a question from Mr E. T. Mensah, NDC-Ningo-Prampram, on when the Dodowa-Afienya road would be fully completed.

The Minister said: "Works are behind schedule. On 2nd September, 2005 the contractor submitted a fresh programme of works to enable him complete the works by 31st December, 2005.

"The contractor is at site and currently undertaking primer sealing works, filling of culvert approaches and laying of base course. The contractor has been able to mobilise adequate supply of gravel and chippings to enable completion of the project. The works are 40 per cent complete."

In response to another question on when work on the Nyibenya-Osuwem road in the Ningo Prampram Constituency would commence, Dr Anane said the road had been awarded in two phases for rehabilitation under the International Development Agency funding support.

He said 70 per cent of works had been completed under the first phase and only 41 per cent of works had been completed in the second phase, which was awarded for a contract sum of 1.5 billion cedis. He said work on the second phase, which was to have been completed early this year had been delayed.

"The contractor has been warned several times to complete the project but in spite of that he has failed to perform. The contract has, therefore, been recommended to the Regional Tender Review Board for termination", Dr Anane said, adding, "the project will be re-packaged for re-award after termination".

Earlier, Mr Felix Owusu-Adjapong, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, told the House that debate on the government's budget statement and economic policy would commence and be concluded next week. The Minister, who was presenting the business arrangement for next week, said the Minister of The Interior, Papa Owusu Ankomah had also been scheduled to make a statement on armed robbery.

Some member of the Minority side last week expressed worry about the increasing incident of armed robbery in the country and had called for a response from the Interior Ministry. 11 Nov. 05