The Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, has reassured the public that the government is actively working to resolve financial and logistical challenges hindering the timely completion of the Suame Interchange in Kumasi, alongside other key infrastructure projects.
The Suame interchange has faced significant delays due to funding shortages, difficulties in relocating pipelines belonging to the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), and outstanding compensation payments to individuals affected by the project.
Contractors are currently progressing with phase two of the project, which includes the construction of three overpasses and the widening of a 3.1-kilometre stretch of road.
Work on an additional 15 kilometres of local roads is also nearing completion. The three overpasses at Anomangye, Suame New Road, and Abusuakruwa are expected to be completed within the next two months.
However, phase one, which involves the construction of the main four-tier Suame Interchange, is only 13% complete. A major challenge remains the relocation of GWCL pipelines, which is crucial to progressing with the interchange’s construction.
James Amoo-Gottfried, Director of the Department of Urban Roads, highlighted the ongoing issues during a site visit, noting that while some piling work has been completed, discussions with GWCL are ongoing to resolve the technical challenges. “We hope to resolve this and open the site as soon as possible,” he stated.
Minister Agbodza reaffirmed the government’s commitment to overcoming these obstacles, ensuring work progresses efficiently to meet project deadlines. He acknowledged that while reallocated funds may not cover all phases, significant progress has been made, with phase two nearly complete and phase one remaining the critical component.
“We are grateful to the contractors for the progress made. While the full complement of the bridge is not yet finished, President Mahama is committed to completing critical projects like this one,” Agbodza added. He further assured that he would brief the president on the current status and work towards securing the necessary resources for the project’s completion.
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