150-kilometre town roads project begins in Eastern Region

The Department of Urban Roads (DUR) has awarded a total of 150 kilometres of town roads for construction in various municipalities and districts in the Eastern Region.

The contracts were awarded to 21 local companies in December, 2017.

Currently 14 contractors, out of the 21 engaged by the DUR, have begun work and are at various stages of construction.

The Eastern Regional Director of the DUR, Mr Kofi Nti Appiagyei, who made this known to the Daily Graphic in an interview, said the works started in January, 2018.

The contractors, he stated, had between 12 and 18 months to complete the project.

Works

For an effective project supervision and maintenance, the DUR, according to Mr Nti, has divided the region into five zones, namely; southern, central, western, eastern and northern.

Works in the southern zone involves the rehabilitation of 20-kilometre of selected roads in New Juaben North and South districts, both in Koforidua, whereas in the northern zone, contractors are to undertake rehabilitation works on 28km of town roads in Nkawkaw, Kwabeng, Akim Abomosu and Akyem Akropong in the Kwahu West and Atiwa West districts.

In the central zone, that is made up of East Akim, Kyebi and Suhum, 30 km of roads, with an additional 10km of asphaltic overlay, would be rehabilitated.

And in the eastern zone, Abiriw, Awukugua, Adukrom, Aprade and Amamprobi, in the Okre District, are getting 10km of the works. Other areas such as Akim Oda, Akroso, Asamankese, Kade and Akwatia in the Birim Central, West Akim, Kwaebibirem and Denkyembour districts in the western zone will have 43km of roads to be worked on

Rationale

Currently, there are about 1,350km of road network in 11 municipalities in the region. The road condition mix is 23 per cent good, 36 per cent fair with the remaining 49 per cent being poor.

Some communities in the region are difficult to access due to the deplorable nature of the roads.

According to Mr Nti Appiagyei, his outfit was also carrying out additional works consisting of potholes patching, resealing and grading on selected roads in the region as part of its routine maintenance programme.

He said the completion of the projects would significantly improve the socio-economic development of the region.