TMA to improve Roads and Agriculture in the Metropolis

Tema, Aug 12, GNA - Mr Kempes Ofosuware, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), has assured residents in the metropolis that it would soon witness tremendous and positive transformation of its Road network, and improvement in Agriculture.

In his sessional address at the Assembly's First Ordinary Meeting of the Third Session, Mr Ofosuware disclosed that the Tema Metropolitan Roads Unit, an implementing agency of the Ministry of Roads and Highways, has been tasked with the responsibility of planning road networks within the Metropolis.

The Unit, he said, was also tasked with the development, maintenance and administration of road networks within the Metropolis.

The MCE observed that as a result of rapid development in terms of settlement, the demand for roads, pavements, streetlights and other related infrastructure within the Metropolis had also increased.

He stated that even though the Assembly was faced with budgetary constraints, it had become imperative to repair damaged roads, because this unfortunate situation was hampering the effective movement of goods, services and other economic activities.

Furthermore, he said, during the mid-year budget review of the department, the unit was allocated 625,000 Ghana cedis to carry out routine maintenance works at junctions and other selected road sections.

The MCE regretted that inadequate pavements and walkways within the city had forced pedestrians to compete with vehicles for space on the streets.

Mr Ofosuware gave the assurance that the Assembly would ensure the provision of enough pavements and walkways in the Metropolis, adding that streetlights would be provided, saying the Assembly had received a total of 400 street lights to be installed starting from this month.

On roads, the MCE indicated that certain critical roads would soon be rehabilitated to improve their current conditions.

He observed that the main source of livelihood of most residents in the Metropolis was Agriculture, and said there were numerous opportunities in that sector, especially with crops, agro-processing, livestock farming, and fisheries.

He mentioned the high incidence of livestock diseases, dwindling farm sizes due to estate development, and the high cost of agricultural inputs as some of the challenges facing agriculture in the Metropolis.

GNA