Sinohydro projects take flight as president cuts grass for construction of Tamale Interchange

General News on Thursday, April 11, 2019

Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

2019-04-11

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday cut the groundwork for the start of construction of an interchange here in Tamale, in the Northern Region.

The interchange, which is a dual lane, is the first of its kind to be built in the north of the country.

The project, which will cost $ 500 million, is being implemented under the government's project support agreement with Sinohydro.

The deal, estimated at about $ 2 billion, targets infrastructure projects selected by Ghana across the country in exchange for refined bauxite (aluminum or alumina).

President Akufo-Addo said that the construction of the interchange would help open the area to socio-economic activities.

He added that the project would create jobs for the teeming youth of the region and improve the lives of the people.

The president warned that his government and the Chinese government would not accept any delay or poor work.

He therefore urged local builders, who would be given jobs in the projects, to strictly follow the project guidelines and specifications.

President Akufo-Addo urged builders to take steps to minimize environmental pollution during construction.

He said the government is committed to transforming the lives of the people of the region and urging them to help maintain peace in the region.

Chinese Ambbadador to Ghana Shi Ting Wang said that for years the Chinese government has been dedicated to developing Ghana's economy and the well-being of Ghanaians.

He added that the two countries enjoyed friendly relations and that the Chinese government would continue to provide the necessary badistance to meet the country's challenges.

The Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr. Kwasi Amoako-Atta, explained that Tamale, the main transit city of Burkina Faso, neighboring northern Burkina Faso, and other landlocked countries, also served an important trade route.

He said that most of the traffic from Tema Port to landlocked countries uses the city of Tamale as a communication route, which makes it very important for local and international traffic.

Mr. Amoako-Atta explained that the Tamale interchange, along about one kilometer and connecting the Kumasi road to the point 7 road, the central taxi rank, the intersection of the market central with the Melcom road and the Bolgatanga road, would facilitate traffic.

The minister called on chiefs and residents of the region, especially the Dagbon overlord, Yaa-Naa Mahama Abukari, to help the contractors to complete the project on time.

Yaa-Naa Abukari commended the government for the project and pledged to provide the necessary badistance to the contractors to ensure its completion in a timely manner.

"I want to badure the president of my will to support the contractors on the project," he said.

Northern Regional Minister Salifu Saeed said the project would significantly improve the region's trade, economic growth and development, and urged all stakeholders to prepare to support it.

"The construction of the interchange will contribute to development and trade at the municipal, regional and international levels, hence improving living standards and reducing poverty," he said.

The project involves the construction of 10 km of auxiliary roads around the interchange to improve traffic management.

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and other state ministers accompanied the president to the ceremony.

Some of the leaders of China's Sinohydro Corporation were also present at the grbad cutting ceremony.