Work on Asafo Market inter-change begins in 2003

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) -- Work on the construction of the Asafo market inter-change in Kumasi will begin in the first quarter of 2003. The project, which would be financed by the International Development Agency (IDA) of the World Bank, is to improve the current movement of traffic in the Adum-Asafo area.

Dr Richard Anane, Minister of Roads and Transport, who announced this, however, did not disclose the amount involved in the project, but said a bid would soon be invited for the award of the contract.

Dr Anane announced this at a public forum on the feasibility studies of the Oforikrom-Asokwa by-pass and the engineering design of the Asafo market interchange in Kumasi on Monday.

The forum was to solicit the views and concerns of all stakeholders and residents on the designs of the roads and make the necessary inputs.

Work on the 3.1-kilometre Oforikrom-Asokwa by-pass, which begins from the Anloga Junction to the Asokwa police station and construction of a three-lane Asafo Cement to Ramseyer Vocational School junction on the Lake road, is being funded by the Agence Francaise de Development (AFD). It is expected to begin before the end of 2003.

Dr Anane also announced that designs and construction works to convert the Ahwiaa-Suame roundabout and Abuakwa-Sofoline-Bekwai roundabout roads into dual carriageways to ease traffic congestion, would take off in 2003.

The construction of access roads to Moshie-Zongo, Old Tafo, Atonsu, Dompoase and S-Line, Ayigya-Zongo, Aketego and Adoato would also start in 2003. Dr Anane said the surveying of the outer ring road for Kumasi to connect all the arterial roads, which would link Kumasi to the rest of the country, would be completed by February 2003.

These projects, he said, show the government's determination to improve the road network in the Kumasi metropolis, he said, adding that, the government would continue to allow residents who were the end-users of the roads to make contributions towards their construction.

Maxwell Kofi Jumah, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, said the combination of growth in human population, employment, vehicle ownership and vehicular movement were expected to lead to severe constraint on the transport network in the metropolis.

He said the KMA welcomes the proposed projects; since they would improve traffic flow make the city more efficient and environmentally friendly. Jumah, however, appealed to the Ministry of Roads and Transport and the Department of Urban Roads to pay critical attention to the other congested traffic corridors in the city, notably, the Sunyani, Mampong and Antoa road.

Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, who chaired the function, warned the consultants against shoddy works. He also appealed to the affected persons, especially the carpenters at Anloga to co-operate with the contractors to ensure speedy completion of the projects.

Some of the residents stressed the need for the consultants to ensure that the designs of the road did not lead to further congestion on the roads but they should take into considerations future increases in traffic volume. They also called for proper drainage designs to prevent flooding on the roads.