The Member of Parliament for Yendi, Hon Farouk Aliu Mahama, on Saturday, October 30, cut the sod for the construction of inner roads in the Yendi municipality into an asphaltic surfacing. The roads to be built sum a total of 7.5km in four major communities in the traditional capital of the Dagbon Kingdom.

The beneficiary communities are: Nayilifong-Gukpegu road which is 5.5km, Waayili road, 1km, Kumfong inner road, 1km, and Montia road, 0.42km.

The construction will be done jointly by Andrade Gutierrez and Odebrecht Engenharia e Construção, beginning today Monday, October 2, 2023, and end on March 31, 2024 as announced by the contractors.

The cross sections of the roads will be similar, each road with two lanes, one on each side of the center line, with a width of 2,75m to 3,5m. The pavement of the four roads will consist of a sub-base layer with 25cm, a base layer with 15cm, and a bituminous concrete layer with 5cm, also known as asphalt layer. Drainage will be included where necessary, according to the preliminary study and surveying, with the construction of U-drain type drainage and Trapezoidal type drainage.

According to the contractors, the amount of utility infrastructure found and the velocity of reallocations of those infrastructure, will be crucial to achieve the date previously mentioned for the conclusion of the project.

They also assured to build the roads to meet the expected quality, respecting the standards of road construction as much as possible and respecting the standards of Safety, to prevent and avoid accidents.

“Our goal is to deliver a road that meets the necessities of the client and communities involved, promoting an environment of cooperation. We wish to proceed with the works, disturbing as less as possible the communities affected by the construction.”

In his remarks, Alhaji Farouk Mahama said the sod cutting ceremony marked a significant milestone for the people of Yendi especially the beneficiary communities.

“I am in Parliament to represent the interest of the good people of Yendi and it is therefore on me to espouse the needed development geared towards the new Yendi City and transformational agenda we’re talking about today.”

The lawmaker promised to further advance the course of development in the areas of infrastructure, roads, education, agriculture and empowerment of women and children in the constituency.

“So, I am privileged that we’re witnessing the transformation and development of Yendi under my mandate as the Member of Parliament for the Yendi constituency. I want to use this opportunity to say that we’re moving Yendi to the next level with the support of the Yaa Naa, the women and children, constituency executives, electoral area coordinators and polling station executives” he noted.

He mentioned the numerous projects and social intervention initiatives are manifestation of his hard work and vowed to explore his network as son of the late former Vice President of Ghana coupled with the support of President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to bring the needed investment opportunities to the people of Yendi.

Meanwhile, Yaa Naa Abukari II in a speech delivered on his behalf commended the Akufo-Addo led government for the continuous massive infrastructure development in the northern region. 

He observed that Yendi as the capital of Dagbon has witnessed many development projects from the government in the areas of education, health, agriculture, roads, transportation, commerce, peace and security, sports, just to mention a few.

The Yaa Naa said Dagbon is also proud of the Tamale International Airport expansion project, Tamale Interchange, Tamale Military Sports Stadium, Tamale Market expansion project, Eastern Corridor Road project, electricity and water expansion projects and the asphaltic road projects.

“These projects championed by our hardworking Member of Parliament, Hon Farouk Aliu Mahama will not only contribute immensely towards the productivity of the area, it will also continue to make Yendi as an alternative place to live by foreigners and non-citizens in the country” he stated.

The Dagbon King notwithstanding this called on the government to give special attention to the Yendi Water Project to ameliorate the perennial water crisis in the municipality and its adjoining communities.

He admitted the Yendi MP has commissioned dozens of water projects dotted across the constituency but intimated the Yendi Water Project when completed will complement the efforts of the legislator.