Gov’t Secures $20M AfDB Facility for Roads

Government has so far secured some $20 Million from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the construction of link roads around Volivo to Dorfor Adidome, the site for the construction of an alternative bridge across the Volta Lake, Roads & Highways Minister has disclosed.

Even though government had already secured a Japanese concessionary funding for the actual bridge project, work is yet to commence due to the lack of access roads to the site.

The Ministry has, therefore, resolved to secure the necessary funding for a more comprehensive project that will render the bridge relevant and a true alternative when it is finally constructed.

According to the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako Atta, the funding support that was secured from the AfB is not enough, hence the Road Ministry has presented various funding scenarios to the Ministry of Finance for consideration.

Mr. Amoako Atta disclosed these on the floor of Parliament in response to a question posed by Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, seeking to know when the construction of the bridge would commence.

He said government last year secured a Yen Loan for the development of a 54m cable stayed bridge over the Volta River from Volivo to Dofor Adidome and is expected to form a critical part of the Eastern Corridor Development project.

‘’The bridge is critical part of the Eastern Corridor Development which is envisaged to become the main south-north corridor (because it is a shorter route to the northern sector compared to the central corridor).

“The bridge will serve as an alternative crossing point on the Volta River in the unforeseen circumstance, resulting in the closure of the Adomi Bridge as happened recently when the Adomi Bridge was closed down for rehabilitation.

“It is in this vein that the alternative crossing at Volivo and the by-pass road is vital”, the minister explained.

Detailed designs for the bridges and its implementation plans have all been completed awaiting the allocation of funds for the road component before actual commencement of works.

Japanese firm, JICA, which is undertaking the bridge project, is also committed to the signed agreement with Ghana to develop the Asutuare Junction to Asikuma road concurrently with the bridge.

The Volivo to Dofor Adidome bridge construction project, which is expected to commence in October this year, has suffered three months delay as a result of the challenges concerning the roads construction.

By: Christian Kpesese/ thePublisher