The Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Alhaji Alhassan Suhuyini, has inspected the progress of work on the 33km dual carriageway 3rd Ring Road project in the Tamale metropolis under the government’s flagship “Big Push” agenda.
The project is designed to improve urban mobility, reduce congestion, and also facilitate trade and economic activities within the Northern Regional capital and its surrounding communities.
The project has been divided into three lots with three contractors, namely: Messrs China Railway Number 5, Messrs. Sinohydro working on Lot 2, and Messrs. Munisco working on Lot 1, Lot 2, and Lot 3, respectively.
Addressing journalists after the inspection last week, the Deputy Roads Minister highlighted the significance of the project and several other critical roads identified for construction to improve the country’s road network and enhance trade and other socioeconomic activities.
He noted the Ministry has been receiving periodic reports about the progress of work, but the site visit was aimed at obtaining first-hand information on the actual level of work being done on-site.
After touring the project site, the Deputy Minister, who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Tamale North constituency, registered his dissatisfaction about the slow pace of work on some sections of the road.
“I would say as we have gone round, the impression is mixed. We’re impressed with some sections, but we’re very disappointed in the progress of work as far as some sections are concerned.
“When we look at some of the lots, we expect that after four to five months of work, at least, we should be seeing progress of work to the tune of about 10 or 15 to 20% in some cases, but we have seen that some places are just about starting, and we don’t think that is impressive at all,” he clarified.
The project is expected to be completed within 24 months, but the Deputy Minister is optimistic that at most, it should be completed and open to traffic within 18 months.
He, therefore, announced that a meeting would be held with the contractors involved in those sections to speed up work in order to meet the timelines.
Quality assurance
Mr. Suhuyini gave an assurance of the government’s commitment to delivering the highest standard of quality work and value for money, stressing, “Quality of work is at the heart of what we’re doing and we will make sure that we hold the contractors to the highest of standards of work.”
Compensation
Meanwhile, the Department of Urban Roads has announced plans to disburse funds this week to some property owners and residents affected by the construction.
Each property owner, after receiving the financial support, is expected to vacate the area within two weeks for the structures to be demolished to make way for the work to continue unabated.
The Deputy Roads Minister charged the contractors to immediately move in after the grace period so that the people will not become reluctant and adamant to relocate after receiving their benefits.
The Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, in remarks, said due diligence will be done in the execution of the project.
He stated there would be effective monitoring of the project to ensure there is value for money and the guarantee of quality work.
For his part, the Director of the Department of Urban Roads, Ing. James Amoo-Gottfried, said the challenges facing the contractors will be addressed and the appropriate recommendations considered to improve the pace of work.
