Roads Minister, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has stated his inability to offer specific timelines for the completion of the stalled PTC Interchange in Takoradi due to lack of control over funding.
The groundbreaking for the three-tier PTC interchange at the Kwame Nkrumah Roundabout in Takoradi took place in September 2020, prior to the general elections.
However, actual construction commenced 10 months later, following numerous demonstrations.
Initially scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2023, the project has been halted for nearly a year and a half.
Sino-Hydro contractors vacated the site on January 15, 2023, due to the withdrawal of creditor support during IMF negotiations.
The anticipated PTC Interchange project, intended to alleviate traffic in and around Takoradi, now lies neglected and deteriorating, causing inconvenience to motorists and residents. According to project consultants, thieves have begun pilfering construction materials.
Mr. Asenso-Boakye, accompanied by the Western Regional Minister and project consultant, inspected the abandoned project site.
Expressing sympathy for the residents of Sekondi-Takoradi affected by the project’s abandonment, he mentioned the government’s plans for temporary works at the site.
However, he did not provide a timeline for these works or the resumption of the major interchange project.
When pressed for a timeline, the Minister refrained from giving one, emphasizing his role in securing funding.
He stated, “I’m the Roads Minister, but I’m not responsible for funding. Once I receive the designs and estimates, I will engage the Finance Ministry to secure necessary funding…the most crucial aspect is my dedication, and I prefer not to focus on timelines during this interview.”
In addition to inspecting the ongoing dualization of the Sekondi to Takoradi road, the Minister also assessed the poor condition of the Takoradi to Agona Nkwanta road, the deteriorated Kojokrom roads, and roads in the Shama District.
He stated, “Government recognises that it is a major issue and we have been working feverishly with our creditors so that we can arrange the necessary funding. That notwithstanding, I’m aware of the concern of residents here in Sekondi-Takoradi about the inconvenience that this construction has brought to them and as a result, we are taking a decision to make sure that a part of the contract is taken out from the main contract with the Sino-Hydro contractors given to a different contractor with new funding to complete some minimal interventions on the ground here to reduce the inconvenience”.
When asked about a timeline, the Minister did not provide one, stating, “I’m the Roads Minister but I don’t provide the funds so once I get the designs and the estimates, I will engage the Finance Ministry to raise the necessary funding…the most important thing is my commitment and I don’t want this interview to be a subject of timelines. That is not healthy.”
