The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has announced that the Tema-Kpone Junction road project will be restructured and completed under the government's Big Push initiative. According to him, the existing arrangement for the road had to be completely overhauled before work could proceed effectively. The Minister made this statement during a tour of Big Push projects in the Greater Accra Region.
Mr. Agbodza revealed that the contractor working on the road did not have a valid contract or approved scope of work guiding the project. He stated that although the contractor was already working on the road when President John Mahama assumed office, there was no approved contract or scope of work in place. This, he said, had created the impression among residents and businesses in the area that the contractor was simply not working or was not being paid.
The Minister explained that President Mahama has directed that the road from the TOR roundabout through the relevant section be completed as a concrete dual carriageway, while the stretch from Medina to the Kpone Barrier will also be completed. He assured that the project has now been brought under the Big Push programme, with the government committed to ensuring its completion. The Tema-Kpone road has been a major concern for commuters and heavy-duty vehicle operators, with its poor condition causing significant inconvenience.
The poor state of the Tema-Kpone road had recently led to a sit-down strike by tanker drivers, who demanded urgent government intervention. The strike highlighted the need for the government to take immediate action to address the road's condition. Mr. Agbodza also questioned the level of support from corporate institutions operating within the Tema industrial enclave towards improving road infrastructure in the area.
The Minister noted that major companies such as VALCO and the Tema Oil Refinery operate around the area and benefit from the road network. He expressed concern that these companies do not contribute to road infrastructure development, unlike their contributions to electricity and water supply. Mr. Agbodza emphasized that Ghanaians and corporate citizens are happy to pay for electricity and water but are reluctant to pay for road infrastructure.
The Minister's comments have sparked a renewed debate about the role of corporate institutions in supporting infrastructure development in Ghana. The government's Big Push initiative aims to improve the country's infrastructure, including roads, and the Tema-Kpone road project is a key part of this effort. The project's completion is expected to ease the suffering of commuters and improve the overall condition of the road.
The government has assured that it will cover the full cost of the project and has directed the contractor to resume full operations. The Minister's directive to the contractor to resume work and the government's commitment to completing the project have raised hopes that the road will be completed soon. The project's successful completion will be a major boost to the region's infrastructure and economy.
Key points
- The Tema-Kpone road project lacked a valid contract and approved scope of work.
- The government has committed to completing the project under its Big Push initiative.
- Corporate institutions have been urged to contribute to road infrastructure development.
