Road Transport Ministry pilots new Technology

Accra, Oct. 18, GNA - The Ministry of Road Transport on Tuesday said it has started piloting a new technology OTAA seal to supplement the quarry products used for bituminous surface dressing. OTTA seal makes use of natural gravel instead of chippings, which are in short supply for surface dressing.

Dr. Richard Anane Minister of Road Transport, who announced the initiative, said the Ministry was currently collaborating with the college of Engineering of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology to further push the development of the technology. "We are collaborating with other stakeholders to resolve this problem of quarry products for bituminous dressing," the Minister told journalists at the Meet the Press series in Accra.

The Meet the Press Sessions allows various sector Ministers to tell the public the development and status of implementation of programmes within the Ministries.

Apart from the challenge posed by lack of chippings, Dr Anane said inadequate construction equipment remained one of the key challenges to the sector.

In this direction, the Ministry has entered into an agreement with the National Investment Bank and other partners to assist contractors address the problem of poor level of equipment.

"This arrangement with NIB will soon be out-doored and help to enhance the acquisition of equipment by contractors," the Minister said. On the right of way and payment of compensation, Dr Anane said the Ministry planned to secure road reservations ahead of major road development by participating fully in the planning and approval processes of various layouts.

The Ministry will also acquire and properly gazette all lands earmarked for road reservations to enforce the ejection of encroachers. Dr Anane explained that delay in payment of compensation was usually not because of unavailability of funds but was rather due mostly to problems of establishing the identity of authentic beneficiaries. "It is a major concern that land and property owners must show proof of ownership, which are normally not available to qualify for compensation payment," the Minister added.