Eastern Corridor road progresses
It is refreshing that work on the Eastern Corridor road is seeing significant progress after the initial hiccups that nearly scuttled work on the much-talked-about project.
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The upgrading of the 695 km project, which is made up of a complex mix of roads traversing the Greater Accra, Volta, Northern and Upper East regions, is expected to ease access to markets and also enable farmers to increase the value of agriculture produce and ultimately their incomes.
It stretches from Tema through Akosombo, Juapong, Hohoe, Jasikan, Kadjebi, Nkwanta, Kpasa and Oti Damanko to Bimbilla, Yendi, Garu, Misiga and to Kulungugu, in the Upper East Region.
Its completion would also foster and facilitate socio-economic development and integration within the West Africa sub-region.
The Eastern Corridor road is a project synonymous with the administration of late Prof. J.E.A. Mills, which started work amidst some financial challenges, and the Mahama administration, which has reignited interest in it with all seriousness.
It has been a huge political weapon right from the days of the Mills administration and will be one of the biggest legacies President Mahama will bequeath the nation when it is finally completed.
Importance
Aside the politics associated with it, the socio-economic importance of the project gives reasons to appreciate the need for the construction of the corridor. It is the shortest distance between the southern and northern parts of the country, and holds huge economic importance for not just the communities it passes through, but the entire nation.
The economic importance of that road are so enormous that it is disingenuous for some people to discredit the government's promise to see to the completion of the work.
Worldwide, there is a very strong correlation between a country's economic development and the quality of its road network.
Good roads are essential for the development of a country.Today, the government is building more and more roads to gain access to the remotest parts of the country, which is welcome.
In spite of the phenomenal growth of virtual connectivity resulting from flourishing telecommunications, a good and reliable transport network remains key to national development.
It is, therefore, not out of place for the government to pump huge sums of money into road infrastructure even at the expense of other sectors of the economy.
So when in his State of the Nation Address delivered on February 26, 2015 before Parliament, President Mahama made a strong case for accelerated road infrastructure, he was hitting the nail right on the head.
He said on that day: "We are working on many projects to open up the country to reduce road traffic accidents, boost economic activities and bring foodstuffs to the market centres with ease."
What is important is for Ghanaians to take the President for his word and keep an eye to ensure he delivers on his promise.
Slow pace
The Eastern Corridor road project started on a slow pace about four years ago. Financing was a major problem to the government. Moves by Prof. Mills to see the project going was met with challenges of financing.
Indeed, many were those who doubted the ability of the government to carry the project through, especially when the much-expected $3 billion Chinese loan, part of which was to be used to finance sections of the project, failed to materialise.
However, a grant from the European Union came in to support the 46.4 km Dodi Pepesu to Nkwanta stretch.
Progress of work
The 55 km of Lot Two, which stretches from Asikuma Junction through Hohoe, Jasikan and Poase Cement, was awarded to GS International, which at a point abandoned work as a result of payments. Work has, however, resumed.
Currently, the Asikuma Junction to the Peki portion of the project, stretching about 9.5 km, has been completed with asphalted surface.
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On the Dodi Bepozo to Nkwanta stretch in the Volta Region, work is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Lot One covers 91.0 km from the Tema Roundabout to Kpong-Asikuma Junction road. It has two distinct sections, including the Tema Roundabout -Atimpoku road (54.5 km) and Atimpoku - Asikuma Junction Road (36.5 km). The Tema Roundabout – Atimpoku road will be treated with asphaltic concrete surface and is in a good to fair condition.
On the aggregate, a lot of progress has been made on reconstruction work but there is still more to do.
In the words of President Mahama, the government is bent on completing it as part of its transformation agenda for the nation.
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The Eastern Corridor road will not only be the shortest distance between the southern and northern parts of the country but also Ghana and Burkina Faso.
The north eastern part of Ghana is considered a bread basket of the nation and, therefore, deserves all the necessary attention to promote agriculture development.
Longest stretch
The single longest stretch of the project is from Nakpanduri to Otidamanko, the sod for which was recently cut by the President for work to begin. Work is expected to be completed in 2016.
It will be an asphalted dual carriageway which will connect major towns such as Oti-Damanko, Bimbilla, Yendi, Sakpiegu, Gushiegu and Nakpanduri.
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Funding is from the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) which is providing 83.33 per cent of the contract sum, and the government of Ghana, 16.67 per cent.
Packaged under Lots Five and Six, the project is being executed by two Brazilian firms. Lot Five, which starts from Oti-Damanko to Bimbila and Yendi, covers a distance of 86km, while Lot Six covers 123.6 km stretches from Yendi through Gushiegu to Nakpanduri.
One significant by-product of the project is that the communities along the project line will benefit from various projects in the areas of health, education, water and agriculture.
Listening to the President speak at the sod-cutting ceremony at Yendi, one could deduce that he was bent on seeing this all-important project become a reality.
“We all know that the north-eastern part of this country is a bread basket of Ghana. A lot of the farm produce that we eat in this country is from the eastern corridor of this nation, stretching all the way from Bunkpurugu Yonyoo all the way down to the Volta Region,” he said.
Inhabitants have had to endure that terrible stretch over the years, cutting back economic development.
As an agrarian area, farmers have complained about post-harvest losses as bad roads made it almost impossible for vehicles to transport foodstuffs to the buying centres, so the completion of work will be a huge relief to the people.
Looking ahead
In spite of the progress made so far, the government cannot afford to go to sleep thinking all will be well. A close eye must be kept on the ongoing works until completion..
Although external funding have been secured for sections of the road, the government will have to provide the counterpart funding.
With the interest the government continues to show in the project, the signs are clear that the long-awaited project will surely come into fruition.