Ministry of Roads and Highways has awarded about GH¢195 million contract to First Sky Limited, a subsidiary of the First Sky Group, for the construction of the 23 kilometres Dome-Brekuso-Kitase road.
The contract was signed between the ministry led by the Sector Minister Mr. Kwasi Amoako-Atta and the leading construction firm on 6th July, 2022 for the execution of the project.
Executive Chairman of the First Sky Group Eric Seddy Kutortse and Ing. Oliver Acquah signed the contract on behalf of the company.
The contractors have pledged to immediately move to the construction site and complete the project to make it a modern first class road within 24 months.
Parliament approved a $24 million Kuwaiti fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) in late 2019 for the road project in fulfilment of a promise by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The project is being sponsored by the Kuwaiti fund and the Government of Ghana.
According to the Roads and Highways Minister Mr. Amoako-Atta, KFAED provided the loan amount of 7 million Kuwaiti Dinar (approximately US$24 million) with a counter-funding of GH¢66,136,400 (US$11 million) from the government.
He said under the deal, the First Sky, which won the contract under a competitive bidding, will receive a total of GH¢192,932,197.96 to undertake the rehabilitation of the road.
The project was expected to start in late 2020 but suffered delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the contract agreement, President Akufo-Addo is keeping to his promise of ensuring the construction of the first class road from Dome in the Greater Accra Region through Brekuso to Kitase in the Eastern Region.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Akuapem South and Deputy Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Mr. O. B. Amoah who has been following up on the project over the years said the President deserves commendation for this promise which is taking off.
Mr. Amoako-Atta said the road when rehabilitated, will result in the preservation of the road assets with favourable impact on the socio-economic activities of the people living in the area of influence.
He noted that vehicle operating cost will significantly reduce as well as the frequent breakdown of vehicles plying the road, which has become a disincentive for those engaging in business activities.
Mr. Amoako-Atta added that fixing of the road will also provide an alternative route from Accra to Peduase in the Eastern Region.
This means an improvement of the road will enhance economic activities, movement of mainly agricultural produce and people to markets, and facilitate trade and economic integration of the two regions.
The project
The project, which covers 23 kilometres, starts from the Dome Roundabout in the Greater Accra Region and end at Kitase, near Peduase in the Eastern Region.
It includes the construction of a 16.3km two-lane single carriageway with asphaltic concrete surfacing, the provision of 2.8km asphaltic concrete surfacing dual carriageway arterial with auxiliary lanes on both sides for drop off/pick up.
The project also includes the provision of a one-km two-lane single carriageway for Ashesi University with asphaltic concrete surfacing.
Commencement
Speaking after the signing ceremony in Accra on Wednesday, the Minister for Roads and Highways, Mr. Kwasi Amoako-Atta, said the construction work will start at the end of July 2022.
The project, he pointed out, will enhance the socio-economic activities of the people living in the catchment area and also facilitate trade and economic integration between the two regions.
Mr. Amoako-Atta expressed confidence that the contractor, First Sky Limited, will deliver the project on time and “with all competence and efficiency”.
“We went through the entire procurement processes and the best contractor emerged. And I want to assure the company that the government will support our own to deliver this project on schedule,” the Minister stressed.
