Regional Minister Inspects On-Going Projects

Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister last Monday inspected some on-going projects in the Kumasi metropolis to acquaint himself with the progress of work. The inspection was also to enable him to assess problems and the volume of work on hand and how best to address them to ensure their successful completion.

The projects included the Rehabilitation of the City Hotel rehabilitation, the Asafo interchange and the Baba Yara sports stadium. The Regional Minister, accompanied by Madam Patricia Appiagyei, the KMA Chief Executive, City engineers and members of the Regional Security Council, also visited the Moribund Jute factory.

Conducting the Minister and his entourage round the City Hotel project, which started 20 days ago, Mr Collins Owusu-Afriyie, a local partner of the construction company, said renovation works had already started and that some offices were being refurbished. The contactors, China State Colon Construction, has been given 18 months to complete the project, which involves renovation and construction.

Mr Owusu-Afriyie gave assurance that barring any hitches, work would be completed before schedule. At the Asafo market interchange project site, the Minister noted that both the contractor and the workers were not at work and expressed great concern about their absence.

Mr Godfried Amoo, the Metropolitan Roads Engineer of the Department of Urban roads and Mr Anthony Boakye, contract Manager, who represented the Consultants conducted the Minister round the project.

Mr Amoo told the Minister that it was not true that the designs of the project had been changed but admitted that there were some misunderstandings between the contractor and the consultants but the problem had been solved. He said the contractor had been given up to Friday, July 14 to resume work, but the Minister asked that the ultimatum be extended to July 21.

Mr Owusu-Ansah said if the contractor fails to start work by the end of the ultimatum, the government would be advised on the delay of the project. Mr Michail Quainoo, Quantity Surveyor of Waterville Consar Company, which is working on the rehabilitation and construction of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, said the project would be completed before schedule.

Mr Paullo Albertazzi, the site Project Manager said when completed, the stadium would have a police station, gymnasium halls, restaurant, 65 shops and first aid room, adding that, 20 percent of the external works had been completed.

The regional Minister called for more exits and entrances, adding that FIFA was much concerned about the security of spectators. At the Jute factory, Mr Owusu-Ansah expressed concern about the fact that the factory, which used to employ over 700 workers, was lying idle for various reasons.

He said he would ensure that the factory was resuscitated, since the machines could be rehabilitated.