Prez insists on value for money

Friday March 5, 2010

From Edmund Mingle & Winston Tamakloe, Mafi-Asiekpe.

President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday charged contractors in the country to give value for money, cautioning strongly that the government will not entertain any shoddy work.

“We want value for money,” he said, adding that the government would not allow any of the tax payers’ money to go waste through shoddy construction works, particularly roads projects.

President Mills gave the caution when he cut the sod for the beginning of construction works on two road networks in the Volta Region and Accra yesterday.

The President, who cut the sod for the upgrading of the Ho-Adidome-Sogakope road at Asiekpe in the North Tongu district of the Volta region, before cutting the sod for the construction of the Spintex-Polo Grounds- Airport link road in Accra, bemoaned the situation where a lot of money goes to waste because of poorly executed construction works.

In addition, President Mills gave assurance that the right structures were put in place to ensure proper monitoring of projects, and assured contractors that the government would play its part providing the necessary cooperation and assistance, as well as the prompt payment of contractors.

Touching on the Ho-Adidome-Sogakope road project, which is to part of efforts to improve the road network and facilitate transportation, President Mills noted that the start of the project, was in fulfillment of one of his administration’s campaign promises made to the people of the area.

He said the government was committed the improving the lot of people in the area by undertaking initiatives that could lead to the significant eradication of poverty, and assured them of his administration’s collaboration for to enhance their welfare.

“We can never turn our back on you,” he told a durbar of chiefs and people of Adaklu Kodzobi and Mafi-Asiekpe here ahead of the sod-cutting.

He said the government was up to the task of developing the country, expressing optimism that the government would perform creditably to be retained in power.

“We are in power to serve the people,” he said.

The road is a vital link connecting major towns like Adaklu Tsrepe-Adaklu, Mafi-Kumasi and Adaklu Abuadi in the North Tongu, Adaklu Anyigbe districts and Ho Municipality.

Under the project, the road is expected to be upgraded to a two-lane single carriage way with double surface dressing.

The project, costing over GHc54million, also involves the replacement of weak and damaged culverts, deepening of drains, as well as the provision of access links to the road.

When completed, the road network, is expected to enhance economic activities particularly in the areas of agriculture and tourism.

“The improvement of this route will also provide a shorter travel distance for motorists commuting between Ho, Sogakope and Accra, as compared to the current route from Ho through Denu,” said Joe Gidisu, Roads and Highways Minister, whos also gave the assurance that the contractors, Messrs Ussuya, Jah Nicaf, PMC and Rollider, would do a good job.

Tobge Dzegbade IV, Chief of Adaklu Kodzobi, in his remarks, thanked the government for making the road network issue a priority, and particularly commended it for continuing road projects started in the area by the previous government.

“We will remain grateful for this support,” he said, and assured the government of their full collaboration for the success of all projects initiated in the area.

Later at the sod-cutting for the Spintex-Polo Grounds-Airport link road, President Mills, stressed the importance of that project, saying it would significantly ease traffic on the Spintex, and Accra-Madina roads.

“This will save motorists and commuters a lot of man-hours,” he said, citing the current situation where vehicles stay on traffic for hours on the Spintex road during rush hours.

The project, he said, formed part of efforts to remove the bottlenecks that hamper effective business activities, such as poor road networks that adversely affect transportation.

“This is an importance landmark in the development of Accra,” he said, adding that he was glad to be associated with it.

The 2.6kilometer road project, costing over Ghc12.7million, involves the re-alignment of the Spintex road around the Accra Mall, passing behind the Shangrila hotel to link the Airport by-pass. It also includes the construction of a rail bridge to separate the railway from the road.

Dr. Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, the Mayor of Accra, in his remarks, said the project was one of many initiatives to improve the road and transportation system in the metropolis.

He announced that the by the end of June, 47 modern traffic lights, with power back-ups would have been installed in various intersections to improve the traffic situation in the metropolis.

Consequently, President Mills commissioned one of such traffic lights in front of the Fire Service Headquarters in Accra yesterday, to mark the beginning of a mass installation of those lights which are fitted with remote monitoring devices and back-up power which enables it to continue functioning during power outage.