Circle-Achimota road re-construction starts in July

Reconstruction of the road from Kwame Nkrumah Circle to the Neoplan Junction at Achimota will start in July 2002 and completed in 2005, Dr Richard Anane, Minister of Roads and Transport announced on Thursday.

The three-lane road, to be funded by the International Development Agency (IDA), an affiliate of the World Bank, would have an interchange for the railway, three footbridges and 10 traffic lights, Dr Anane told a public forum in Accra on the environmental impact assessment of the rehabilitation of the Nsawam Road (Nkrumah Circle to Neoplan Junction).

The forum was to afford the public the opportunity to express their views on the design and concept of the road. Dr Anane said construction of the road was going to have both positive and negative repercussions for a number of persons who had been living and working along the corridor of the road.

"The reconstruction will have a positive impact on the national economy in general and within the route corridor in particular," he said.

"There will however be disruption of economic activities, destruction of property - houses and shops - relocation of utilities with attendant problems for households along the route and traffic congestion during the construction period."

Dr Anane said those who would be affected would be compensated, adding that the ministry would ensure transparency at all stages of the project to ensure value for money.

"You taxpayers deserve nothing but the best from your financial contributions towards the development of the nation."