Mills asks media to inform government on developmental issues

Accra, July 21, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Wednesday called on the media to inform Government about progress of its development efforts, especially improving the living standards of the people.

He assured Ghanaians and residents in the Accra Metropolis that the numerous and time consuming traffic jams would end soon.

President Mills said 93I would therefore urge the critics to put away the clamour 91nothing is happening', in apparent reference to government performance and rally behind the Government to build a Better Ghana,".

President Mills made the call during a tour of a drainage project at Nima, and road projects at Dimples Junction, Mallam Junction and Dansoman Keep Fit Exhibition, all development projects under the Millennium Challenge Compact.

The President said he was impressed with progress of work on the drainage and road projects.

He was accompanied by Mr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, Accra Mayor, Mr Joe Gidisu, Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Martin Esson-Benjamin, Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Challenge Account and officials in the road sector.

At Nima Refuse Junction, President Mills was mobbed by a milling crowd of enthusiasts, as he inspected a drainage project, which is under investigation for rehabilitation.

The project extends to the Odaw River, to improve drainage and reduce the impact of floods affecting communities downstream.

President Mills assured the people that execution of the project would improve drainage and ordered the Accra Metropolitan Authority (AMA) to relocate immediately an over-spilling refuse container nearby to avert any health hazard to the community.

At Dimples Junction, President Mills was briefed by Mr Esson-Benjamin, and Mr William Koranteng Yorke, Site Engineer on progress of work on the Tetteh Quarshie-Achimota Road.

Mr Esson-Benjamin said the 125 million-dollar project, was a major trunk road extending to Kasoa in the Central Region, and involved the construction of an overhead, which was expected to be completed by the end of next year.

Portuguese and Chinese contractors are working on the project which would ease traffic jam on the highway.

About 40 per cent of the work, in terms of physical construction had been completed, Mr Esson-Benjamin said.

President Mills, who expressed strong faith in the ability of the Ghanaian, said he wished one of the contractors was a Ghanaian, adding that it was government's intention to build the capacity of Ghanaians.

He commended the contractors on their performance so far, and urged them to complete the work on schedule, to ease the traffic jams, and halt the confusion on the highway.

At Mallam Junction, President Mills was welcomed by Mr Fritz Baffour, Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South.

Mr Gidisu and Mr Vanderpuije observed that the road project had created traffic congestion as frustrated motorists had to wait in traffic, necessitating a relocation of the Mallam Junction Bus Stop, and the creation of a bus lane as an interim measure to reduce the congestion.

They assured the people that work would be done on some diversions to allow the free flow of traffic.

President Mills asked the workers to put in their best on the project to feel proud to be part of it after completion.

He toured the Dansoman Keep Fit Exhibition Road Project Site, where he received a rousing welcome by the residents.

The GH¢8.7 million project, is being undertaken by PMC, a Ghanaian firm, and on completion would link Korle direct to Dansoman without any diversion.

It is said to be the first of its kind in the city since the establishment of Dansoman Estate.

Mr Baffour expressed appreciation to President Mills, who turned 66 on Wednesday for his interest in the project and inspecting the project on his birthday.

President Mills wished the contractor and the workers well, and said "I'm happy to be here today".

He assured the people of government's determination to open up Accra and resolve the inconveniences associated with road transportation in the Metropolis.