Work has commenced in earnest for the reconstruction of the drainage system under the Achimota Mile 7 Flyover to curtail the perennial flooding and also improve traffic flow on the road.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the Ga East Assembly, Elizabeth Kaakie Mann made this known to the media during her visit to the place over the weekend.
She said the project has two components with phase one being executed by Highbrains Limited, which includes the excavation and laying of bigger pipe culverts, measuring 900mm and 1,100mm in diameter, from the Old Peace FM (now Best Point) to the underpass and from there towards Achimota ABC.
When completed, the flow of water will be channeled from the existing choked drains and chambers around the flyover into new culverts which can contain heavy volumes of water and end the flooding situation.
The phase two of the project involves the resurfacing of the underpass leading to the covering of the gapping chambers which often cause heavy vehicular traffic especially when it rains as the area floods.
The visibly elated MCE could not hide her joy at seeing the project finally take off.
She explained that her persistent call on the authorities, Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Ghana Highways Authority, has paid off and expressed utmost gratitude to them for delivering on their promise to address the situation.
“Five months ago, my first day at work, this is where I started it. I came with the technical officers to conduct feasibility studies and then prepared and submitted a report to the Regional Minister. We thank God for making it possible for this work to be undertaken. They are constructing new and bigger drains to divert the water that stagnates here whenever it rains so this situation will soon be a thing of the past”, she remarked heartily.
Madam Kaakie Mann seized the opportunity to assure the residents in the Municipality of her total commitment towards delivering her roads agenda.
She said efforts are being made to ensure that all the critical roads in the Municipality are fixed as they remain her priority concern.
“I’m taking this opportunity to inform all the residents to expect us to work on their roads. I’m there for the roads as your needs assessment I conducted indicated that roads are your major concern. Today we’re here, tomorrow it will be Abokobi-Boi, Pure Water, and Teiman roads. It is our payer that the contractors will come to site soon”, the MCE intimated.
For his part, the Assembly Member for Dome East, Joseph Iddrisu Boakye, who accompanied the MCE and whose jurisdiction the project is taking place, expressed great happiness and heaved a huge sigh of relief for the start of the work.
He appealed to motorists and residents in the area to cooperate with and support the contactor by complying with the necessary arrangements put in place to ensure smooth execution of the project.
Some drivers and passengers who spoke to this Reporter were full of praise for the MCE and the Assembly, as well as the Government and Member of Parliament (MP), Sarah Adwoa Safo, for coming in to address their plights.
By Alex Boye
