Dr. Justice Amoh, Chief Executive Officer of Justmoh Construction, a wholly Ghanaian-owned private company and one of the forerunners in the construction of civil engineering infrastructure, has announced that earthworks on the Takoradi PTC Roundabout to Agona Nkwanta Road rehabilitation project should commence next month.
Already, engineers have spent the past three months on the field, picking and building the data – including the right and/or approved laterite and the quarry materials – to aid in the construction.
“We have the survey instruments and other instruments which are not earth-moving machines. We also have the laboratory team taking samples, and conducting soil testing, and other critical preparatory works. And if you go to our site camp, you will see that it is forming up.”
“If you want to see a grader, an excavator, or a bulldozer moving or working, it will be very soon. Within one month, I’m sure we will start with the clearing, and after the clearing, the concrete works will start, the earthworks will follow then, you will see the blacktop, which is the asphalt works…”
He told journalists, “The length is 23 kilometres and is a dual carriage road rehabilitation project. We have four major bridges that will be reconstructed. Initially, only the Apremdo and the Ewusiejoe bridges were to be reconstructed, but because it will be a dual carriage road project, two additional ones have been added. I must also add that there are other smaller bridges included in the project. They will all be concrete bridges.”
Justmoh Construction has taken on many projects of high importance both in and out of the country, leaving behind a stellar footprint and, Dr Amoh assured the Takoradi PTC to Agona Nkwanta road rehabilitation project will not be any different.
“We appreciate the enormity of the task. This is an international road and its significance cannot be underestimated. On our part, we pledge to work assiduously and as much as practicable to meet the exact engineering specifications.
“Other elements, including encroachment, compensation and other human activities that could stand in the way, are being discussed so that, as much as possible, it will be a win-win situation for all parties involved. And we are committed to seeing to its logical conclusion. We will do our utmost, and we will also pray for a cordial relationship with residents of communities that the road traverses.”
Visible scar
The Takoradi PTC to Agona Nkwanta Road connects to Ivory Coast and Tarkwa, Ghana’s most profitable gold mining enclave.
On each side, particularly the Ahanta West Municipal end, the road is adorned with high-value oil and gas servicing companies, including Wayoe Construction, Monpe, the over 20 million dollars, state-of-the-art, Mantrac Component Rebuild Center, top-of-the-range centre and first of its kind, and Harlequin International Ghana’s 23 million dollar fabrication, hydraulic and engineering facility and a host of other companies of international repute.
A new hospital for the Western Region has earned a spot along the road.
Despite its enormous economic significance, the 23-kilometre road lies heavily battered from years of neglect and has been starved of the needed care and maintenance.
Ruts, some measuring several metres, and puddles with unknown depths have become common features on the road. Consequently, not a month will pass without the news of unbearable vehicular traffic resulting from a vehicle breakdown.
Recent travel memories have become drudgery and one quickly forgotten, and social media sensation Wodemaya recently had course to complain that “it’s a travesty to have such a road in the Western Region, considering what the region gives the country, Sekondi Takoradi deserves better” when he travelled on the stretch to his “humble Ahenkofikrom” to reconnect with his mother.
Muffled reactions
Reports of rehabilitation works are being received with cautious optimism, especially as this year is an election season.
Innocent Amuzu works with one of the mining companies in Tarkwa and was journeying on the road every day until recently when he stopped.
“I drive a four-wheeler pickup. So, it was convenient for me to travel every day from Takoradi to work, also because it was fun. Now, I cannot afford to do that anymore. The road has become bad and dangerous to travel on. I have heard several announcements about rehabilitation. Well, I do hope that finally it will happen. We deserve it.”
Efo Mawu is a commercial driver and has been driving the stretch for the past ten years. He had just bought a new shock absorber – the third one this year alone – and was seething with rage when he responded to a question on the news of rehabilitation works.
“What do you want me to say? This is a new absorber that I just bought,” he pointed to us, “and there is every indication that I will have to buy a new one why,” and, berated the government for not “allowing us to increase fares and said, “soon we will have to increase fares unilaterally to save our only source of livelihood.”
Efo Mawu has heard of Justmoh Construction and says of him: “I know Justmoh. I also know he has done some roads in the Western Region and I don’t want to believe that what I’m hearing is a ploy to get us to vote. So, I’m watching with bated breath. Next month will surely come and we will see.”
The Takoradi PTC Roundabout to Agona Nkwanta Road Rehabilitation Project is being funded by the Ghana Commercial Bank and works will span over 24 months.
