GHA urged to ensure maintenance of trunk road n

Accra, March 1, GNA - Mr Magnus Opare-Asamoah, Deputy Minister of
Transport, on Thursday called on management of Ghana Highway Authority
(GHA) to ensure a sustainable maintenance system to protect the
investment made in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads.
He noted that effective execution of road development and
maintenance work would facilitate government's efforts to reduce the
incidence of poverty, improve living standards in urban and rural
areas and improve access to social services and economic
opportunities.
Mr Opare-Asamoah made the call when he opened a two-day annual
management conference of GHA in Accra.
The meeting under the theme: "Ensuring Effective Maintenance and Safety
Management of Trunk Roads" is to enable management to review their
performance for last year, evaluate strategies to develop and maintain
the trunk roads in a more effective manner and institute strategies to
improve safety on the roads.He said in addition to improving the
quality and safety of the roads, the GHA must also take steps to
prolong the lifespan of the roads by effective implementation and
enforcement of an axle load control.
"Effective maintenance on our road has become to all and GHA
should exercise due diligence, increase supervision and scrupulous
adherence to specifications in the execution of trunk road development
and maintenance projects as well as in the implementation of road
safety programmes."
Mr Opare-Asamoah reminded them to make provision for conduits for
water, power and telephone service lines at appropriate points along
the roads in order to minimize the cutting of roads to lay utility
service lines after completion of the roads.
Mr Eric Oduro-Konadu, Chief Executive of GHA, said the Authority
was preparing a "10 roads and 17 bridges development project," adding
that with the necessary assistance of government and our development
partners, some of the projects like the Madina to Pantang, Sogakope to
Akatsi, Nsawam to Apedwa and Techiman to Kintampo may start this year.
He said challenges facing GHA included inadequate budgetary allocation,
inadequate technical staff and resources for effective supervision,
delays in completing projects and inadequate supply of quarry
products.
These impede their intention of ensuring maintenance,
rehabilitation and reconstruction of the trunk roads network.
1 March 07