Motorists using the Ofankor-Nsawam road have expressed gratitude to the government for the swift efforts to revive the stalled project.
They are also thrilled with the current pace of work, which has significantly reduced the usual vehicular traffic congestion caused by the previously deteriorated road.
A visit to the project site last Thursday showed significant progress, especially at the Pobiman-Samsam junction, the busiest and most deteriorated part of the stretch, which has now been levelled up.
Also, construction workers, with earthmoving machinery, were actively working on site, including at Sapeiman.
To reduce dust pollution, at least two of the 12 designated tankers were observed watering the road.
At the Macedonia Junction, construction workers were laying the binder asphalt course on the main carriageway of the Nsawam-to-Ofankor-bound section.
Meanwhile, at the Pobiman section, the sub-base, a vital layer that comes before asphalt paving, has been completed.
Motorists were hopeful that the stretch from Pobiman to Samsam, where the asphalting work was being done, would be opened to traffic next week.
Motorists, passengers
In separate interviews with the Daily Graphic, a driver, who gave his name as David, expressed gratitude to the government for improving the congested satellite area.
He said the deteriorated road was inaccessible, but the progress was better.
He urged the government to continue the efforts to ensure the project was completed on time and expressed the hope for its successful completion.
“To be frank, our work is progressing now; before, you could be here, and no car would come to this place as it was bad, but now it is better,” the driver said.
“The government has done well, and we appreciate them for the good work. They should keep it up so they can finish the work on time,” he said.
Another driver, Ibrahim Tafir, praised the government for the effort to complete the road project, as they could attest to the work being done.
A fashion designer, Samuel Osae Kwapong, said the road was terrible a month ago, but the current state is good.
He said dust remained a problem and urged the contractor to take action, as it could harm their health.
Mr Kwapong also stated that, unfortunately, drivers plying the Accra to Nsawam route were still charging the same increased fare, although there was less traffic and the road condition was better now.
“We believe the increase in the fare was due to fewer cars on the road caused by the past nature of the road, but they need to do something about it,” he said.
Other road users
Juliet Opokua, a hairdresser, also called on the contractor to maintain the pace but urged drivers to lower the transport fares.
“Now we do not suffer as much as we did before, but we want the contractor to expedite work on the project. We are looking forward to its completion,” she said.
A motorcycle rider, Eric Fiagazi, said their work declined due to the deteriorated road and the fact that many people had relocated from the area.
“The government has performed well and business is improving since the road is being maintained properly,” he said.
Background
The contractor, Maripoma Limited, restarted work on Saturday, August 16, after receiving over $70 million from the government.
The project had stalled due to financial and compensation issues, resulting in multiple deadline changes.
Ofankor-Nsawam road project
The $346.47 million project commenced on July 20, 2022 and was scheduled for completion on July 20 2024.
The 33.4km road project has missed the initial July 20, 2024, completion date and the revised completion date of May 21, 2025.
Following recent delays, however, the project contractors and engineers have given the assurance that it would be completed by the second quarter of 2026.
President John Dramani Mahama, who visited the project site on Tuesday, September 2, this year, secured the commitment of contractor, Maripoma Enterprise Limited, and said he would hold it to the pledge.
The project includes the construction of four interchanges and flyovers at Amasaman, Pobiman, Medie and the Nsawam Junction.
