Tema Motorway Interchange project to be completed on schedule

Work on the $57-million Tema Motorway Interchange project is currently 91 per cent complete and the contractors have given an assurance that it will be delivered by the June 6, 2020 deadline.

The Manager of Shimizu-Dai Nippon Jv (the Japanese construction firm undertaking the project), Mr Yujin Uemura, made this known when the Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Kwasi Amoako-Atta, went on a working tour of the facility yesterday.

The last time the Daily Graphic visited the project in August, 2019, work was said to be 60 per cent complete and now only nine per cent away from the “finishing line”.

Observations

It was observed that the major works on the project had been done leaving asphalting, road markings, street lights, traffic signals and drainage outstanding.

Mr Uemura said other project deliverables left in the scope of work were within the time frame.

"As of the end of January, this year, the overall progress of work had hit a 91 per cent mark and we are on track. Our completion date is June, 6, 2020 and we will make sure that we complete it and hand it over," he said.

Mr Uemura said drainage works on the harbour and Aflao sections of the road had stalled because of illegal structures in the right of way and the difficulty in reaching an agreement with the owner of a building over compensation.

Minister reacts

Mr Amoako-Atta commended the company for work done so far and urged them to stick to the June 6 deadline. He said the project was dear to the country and that he expected work to be completed on schedule.

He warned all illegal settlers whose building were in the way of the project to move out by Monday, February 10, 2020.

"We will not allow anyone to hold this project to ransom. This project is dear to the government so no individual should think they can frustrate us.

"If people fail to move, I will move in with the National Security next week Monday and pull down all the unauthorised structures," he stressed.

Background

The $57-million Tema Motorway Interchange project is being financed under a grant from the Japanese government under its Japanese International Cooperation Agreement (JICA).

The interchange would facilitate easy movement from Accra to Aflao and onwards to Togo, as well as improve transportaion on the road leading from Tema to Akosombo.

It is part of the West African Corridor Development Growth Ring Master Plan which is being implemented by Messrs Shimizu-Dai Nippon Joint Venture (SDJV), with CTI Engineering International Company Ltd as consultants.

The scope of work at the Tema Motorway roundabout includes the construction of an underpass on the Accra-Aflao direction, a signalled intersection at the middle level of the interchange and four pedestrian bridges as well as drainage, ramps and service roads.

The project’s overall goal is to contribute to the growth of the country’s economy and that of others in the West African sub-region. Construction work on the project began in February 2018.