Friday, September 3, 2010

WORK ON ANOKYE-ABUAKWA ROAD AT SLOW PACE (PAGE 18, SEPT 3, 2010)

AFTER three years of execution of the 11 kilometre road project from Komfo Anokye roundabout to Abuakwa in the Kumasi metropolis only 50 per cent of the work has been completed.
The project involving the construction of a three-lane road took off on August 1, 2007, and was supposed to have been completed on June 30, 2010, but three years on, constructional works is barely half way through.
Consequently, an extension of time has been granted to the contractor, Messrs China Geo Engineering Corporation, and ABP Consult Limited, who are supervising the construction of the project.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Urban Roads Engineer, Mr Theodore Quaye, who briefed Daily Graphic about the progress of work during an interview said so far, major drains and bridges along the road that would facilitate constructional works were ongoing.
He did not indicate the period of time that was added for the completion of constructional works, saying “information on the additional time would be announced to the public soon”.
On why an extension of time had been granted, he said the review of the interchange bridge design, especially at Sofoline, affected the duration of constructional works.
He said the general review of the construction design also affected the progress of work.
He also announced that compensation to property owners that would pave way for the demolition of their structures to speed up constructional works had not been completed.
He explained that while some of the property owners had received their compensations paving way for their property to be demolished, others were yet to receive their compensations.
Mr Quaye pointed out that substantial constructional works at the Sofoline interchange have also been undertaken, stressing that progress of works at the place was encouraging.
He said the interchange at the Komfo Anokye Roundabout was however yet to start, but stressed that major obstacles that affected early works at the place had been cleared.
He further assured that constructional works at the Komfo Anokye Roundabout would progress very fast as soon it begins “ because we do not want to disturb the operations of the medical staff when we pitch camp there”
As of January this year, about 27.40 per cent of the total project work had been completed, indicating that between that period and now, 22.60 per cent constructional works has been added.
The Komfo Anokye Roundabout- Abuakwa road project is being undertaken by the Ministry of Transport at a cost of GH¢73,175,175,72.
The government made budgetary allocation to the Department of Urban Roads (DUR) in its 2006 budget towards the development of the arterial road network, and after going through the needed procurement process, the DUR awarded the construction contract to Messrs China Geo Engineering Corporation and the supervision of the construction works to Messrs ABP Consult Limited.
Both contracts were signed on June 8, 2007 between the then Minister of Transport, Dr Richard Anane and Messrs China Geo Engineering Corporation and ABP Consult Limited.
In accordance with the condition of contract, notice to commence work was issued to the contractor on July 3, 2007 and actual works started on August 1, 2007 with a construction period of 36 calendar months.
The 11 kilometre asphalted concrete three lanes dual carriageway include associated drainage works, the construction of both the Sofoline and Komfo Anokye Roundabout, interchange bridges, construction of five underpasses at selected intersections, the relocation of schools affected by the project and the relocation of utilities such as water, telephone and electricity lines.

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