A civil engineer, Ing. Filson Apambila Awankua, has raised concerns over the technical quality of ongoing surfacing works on the Zuarungu–Bolga Kolaa bridge project in the Upper East Region.

In a Facebook update monitoring the project, Ing. Awankua acknowledged steady progress on earthworks and road formation, including clear road camber alignment.

However, he faulted the contractor for spreading plain, uncoated white chippings hauled directly from the quarry, describing the practice as below modern engineering standards.

According to him, aggregates used for both primer seal and seal coats must undergo precoating before application.

He explained that precoating eliminates dust films, strengthens chemical affinity between asphalt layers, minimizes aggregate stripping, and enhances road safety and environmental protection.

Stressing that his critique is strictly technical rather than political, Ing. Awankua noted that Zuarungu and Bolga East are home to experienced practicing engineers and deserve durable infrastructure.



He has urged the media to follow up with project authorities to establish whether precoating was captured in the Bill of Quantities (BOQ), and if so, why the contractor bypassed the critical procedure.



Read the post below.

I have been monitoring the Political and Technical development of some key projects of our region and wish to regularly update my followers on the TECHNICAL or Engineering aspects of these ongoing projects. The Zuarungu / Bolga Kolaa bridge project is progressing steadily, ( earthworks done, and road formation achieved with clear road camber/ CL ), however the current important activity, which is spreading of chippings/ aggregates do not meet modern Engineering standards. As shown in the pictures captured this morning, the chippings are plain( white) which implies hauled straight from the quarry. These chippings( both PRIMER SEAL and SEAL) ought to undergo PRECOATING before spreading. The Engineering purpose of PRECOATING chippings are :
1) it Eliminates DUST FILMS from the chippings and enhances proper adhesion and durability of the the infrastructure.

2) Chemical Affinity: it creates a stronger bond due to Asphalt to Asphalt Affinity.

3) PRECOATING also minimises Aggregate Stripping ( Chip loss)

4) finally, it improves SAFETY and protects the ENVIRONMENT.

Zuarungu and Bolga East for that matter is a home of practicing professional engineers and we deserve better.

NOTE : this is absolutely TECHNICAL, not political and I expect the media to follow up and establish reasons the Contractor skipped this important activity. Has PRECOATING been captured in the BOQ, if yes why did they skip it, if no, why???