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Governs Kwame Agbodza, the Minister of Roads and Highways, has criticized Francis Asenso-Boakye, his predecessor, for the Suame Interchange project’s delays, pointing out what he called the previous administration’s misguided goals.
Mr. Agbodza asserts that at least half of the Suame Interchange project in Kumasi could have been funded by the NPP government’s more than $100 million investment in the National Cathedral.
“Over $100 million was spent on the National Cathedral,” the roads minister said, responding to criticisms from Mr Asenso-Boakye regarding the redesign of the interchange.
“With that amount, you could have completed half of the Suame Interchange, which would have saved the people of the Ashanti Region from years of delay and inconvenience.”
In view of recent road developments, such as the Kumasi Outer Ring Road under the Big Push Programme, Mr. Agbodza reaffirmed that the present interchange redesign, which essentially eliminates the fourth-tier bridge, was a workable solution.
“Construction of the outer ring road will divert most of the traffic up north from the city centre. Suame will therefore require less capacity than originally projected,” he explained.
He also mentioned how the initial four-tier plan was financially and logistically difficult due to incomplete expropriation and compensation concerns left by the previous administration.
“The fourth-tier bridge would have affected multiple commercial properties, the Suame Police Station, and parts of Garden City Mall land, with costs exceeding half of the original construction budget,” Mr Agbodza stated.
Instead of politicizing infrastructure projects, the minister asked the minority to concentrate on workable solutions.
“Kumasi deserves the best, and this modification, combined with ongoing complementary road works, will deliver a modern, efficient road network for the city and the Ashanti Region,” Agbodza added.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
