Kumasi City Hotel project not behind schedule

Kumasi, Nov 1, GNA - Mr. Hans Wersin, Contract Administrator in-charge of the refurbishment of the Kumasi City Hotel has stated that work on the project was steadily progressing, contrary to speculations that it was behind schedule.

"It is almost likely that the project would be completed on time based on the percentage of work done so far undertaken", he noted. Mr. Wersin said the China State Hualong Construction Ghana Limited, contractors working on the project have so far finished with the plumbing works, laying of pipes and blocks, plastering, fixing of electricity cables and wiring, as well as the procurement of stand-by generators and air-condition chillers.

He said this in an interview with the GNA Sports after the Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Mr. Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, together with officials of the Ghana Tourist Board (GTB), had inspected the project as part of the Minister's working visit to Kumasi on Wednesday. The Minister also inspected the Georgia and Miklin Hotels as well as the restaurants to acquaint himself with the preparedness of the hotels in complying with the GTB's operational requirements. The City Hotel, together with Georgia and Miklin are expected to accommodate about 400 tourists, including officials and players of the four teams that would honour their matches at the Baba Yara sports stadium in Kumasi when the Ghana 2008 African Cup of Nations tournament commences next year.

"We have finished with the most difficult aspect of the refurbishment and what we are left to do now bothers on putting in the finishing touches", Mr Wersin declared.

He admonished the media against putting undue pressure on the contractors since such an attitude makes them to lose focus. Mr. Asamoah-Boateng commended the managers of Georgia and Miklin hotels for their compliance with the GTB's operational requirements and urged them to step up their efforts by putting their house in order to enhance the nation's image.