The Ghana National Gas Company Limited has agreed to partner the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation to rehabilitate the deplorable 28 kilometre Esiama – Asasetre road.
The two companies are providing an amount of Ghc125m for the road which has been classified under the oil enclave roads.
The road which leads to the birthplace of Ghana’s first and iconic President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s birthplace, has become a scar on his memories for years.
It is ridden with potholes, making travelling on it bumpy and uncomfortable.
The road emits dust during the dry season, and creates poor visibility for drivers. It gets worse during the rainy season as the potholes get filled with water which drivers complain.
Some businesses along the road have closed down while others are contemplating same, claiming the road has become a disincentive to clients.
Handlers of the Kwame Nkrumah Museum at Nkroful have revealed that the number of tourists to the place has reduced considerably as they always complain about the poor nature of the road.
Roads and Highways Minister Amoako Attah on a tour of the area in September 2018 chastised successive governments for disrespecting the memories of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and assured rehabilitation work will commence immediately, but that did not happen.
District Chief Executive for Ellembelle Kwasi Bonzo speaking to 3news.com in July 2018 admitted the main challenge has been funds for rehabilitation.
“In fact in 2016 the road was awarded on contract but the contractor left site due to lack of funds. Another arrangement was made in 2017 but that also did not work” he revealed.
However, speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the Gas Challenge – an initiative of Ghana Gas to demystify their operations – the DCE disclosed to 3news.com that funds have been secured for the road.
“My assembly approached Ghana Gas about the road and without hesitation, they agreed to partner GNPC to provide Ghc125m for the road. And very soon I believe the president will come and cut the sod for work to commence” Mr Bonzo said.
He stated work will be done in three phases.
“The first phase will be lot one to lot three. Lot one is 6.5km asphalt from Esiama to Teleku Bokazo. This is what will be started immediately. We are hopeful that within 2 years all the lots should be completed,” he explained.
When asked how solid the Ghana Gas and GNPC partnership is due to past failed arrangements Kwasi Bonzo said “Ghana Gas has not just given us the assurance but it is something that is signed, sealed and delivered. We are only waiting for a contractor to be selected”.
Chief Executive of Ghana Gas, Dr. Ben Asante, speaking at the function added that the positive response to the request of the DCE was as a result of the company’s commitment at fixing roads in areas it operates, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.
“Ghana Gas is responsible for oil enclave roads. We try to find resources together with our partner GNPC to be able to build infrastructure that will link communities in the Nzema area. The Nkroful road is one of them. It is about 20km and we are providing funding for it”.
By Eric Yaw Adjei|3news.com|Ghana