Bauxite for roads –Atwima Mponua to see tarred roads for the first time

The bauxite rich town of Nyinahin and its adjoining towns in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti region will for the first time see bitumen as government has pencilled eight (8) road projects to be undertaken in the district.

The district which has served the country its due in cocoa proceeds and as a food basket for grains and plantains also finds itself in government’s treasured view for its rich bauxite deposits.

Atwima Mponua has however suffered the fate of the rich but exploited tattered wretch with all its towns left in thick red dusty ground which turns muddy, slippery and unmotorable whenever it rains.

The district saw the grace of governments purse shine favourably in its direction when minister of Roads and Highways, Akwasi Amoako Attah and the MP for the Atwima Mponua Constituency, Isaac Asiamah held a durbar to break ground for the construction of two roads in the district.

It comprised 2 kilometres of Mpasaatia town roads valued at some 6 million cedis and 20 kilometres of feeder roads from Amangoase to Atuntuma estimated to cost some 12 million cedis.

The two road projects awarded to Memphis Construction Limited are expected to be completed in a year’s time.

The minister also announced that as part of the 2 billion Synohydro Barter Agreement which will afford government 2 billion dollars from China in exchange for refined Bauxite, the district which will be mined for the ore, is also to benefit five road projects.

He outlined that this will cut across a 22 kilometre stretch from Kwanmfifini to Apranimade valued at 12.8 million cedis, 4 kilometres of inner roads in the bauxite headquarters - Nyinahin – valued at 11 million cedis and 16.5 kilometre Nyinahin kyekyewire feeder roads estimated at 12.3 million cedis.

The rest were the 12 kilometer Mpasaatia - Abompe feeder roads costing 10.1 million cedis and the 10 million cedis Tanodumase – Amensu feeder roads.

The promises were capped with a disclosure that a 19 kilometer road from Foriwaa Junction, to Bayerebon to Nyamebekyere has been packaged under Cocoa Roads.

Speaking to Ultimate News, the Roads Minister the Honourable Amoako Attah indicated that the roads are strategic and a proactive measure being taken ahead of the opening of bauxite mining and refinery operations in the District.

He told reporter Ivan Heathcote – Fumador, “We have huge deposits of bauxite which is important to Ghana particularly to pay off the 2 billion Synohydro facility. Very soon, this mine will be opened and it is important that we have to be proactive to fix the roads here.

The paramount chief of Toase nana Yim Awere Ababio asked his town folk to cooperate with the road contractors by offering their services and removing all structures from the sides of the earmarked roads for speedy construction of the much awaited roads.

The ceremony was graced by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, constituency executives of the party, chiefs and traditional authorities, the clergy and administrative heads in the district.