The Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako Atta has inaugurated the recently enhanced Motorway Roundabout.

Speaking at the ceremony to officially commission the completed roundabout, the Minister mentioned that his Ministry was committed to ensuring that roads in the Tema Metropolis and across the country are up to standard.

“There are many roads in Tema that require a face-lift, already we have started and completed asphalting works on some of the roads in the communities. At the end of it all, we want to make sure that we have good roads to connect our communities, expedite movement of goods and to reduce the burden and associated stress that comes with bad roads. This is a pledge that we will accomplish”.

SCOPE OF WORK DONE

The project costing 30 million Ghan Cedis was a Corporate Social Initiative solely financed by the Meridian Ports Services Limited (MPS). The construction works were overseen by Mr. Victor Moutinho who took the gathering through what had been done.

“This has been a hugely successful project despite a few challenges that were bound to occur, last year in October, we began the widening of the Roundabout to allow us to create the new lane within the Roundabout, at the same time we were constructing four new access roads to enable motorists have other routes of access onto the Motorway without having to go through the roundabout, This has reduced the number of vehicles that use the roundabout making traffic flow freely.”

Also present at the ceremony were the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) for Tema, Felix Tetteh Anang- La, Member of Parliament for Tema Central, Kofi Brako, Stakeholders in the Shipping and Maritime Industry and Government Officials.

The Chief Executive Officer of MPS, Mr. Mohamed Samara was grateful to the Government for the opportunity to give back to the community.

“This is our community, it is a joy to identify this pressing need of our community and be able to provide a solution. This roundabout is MPS’ contribution to national development. For over 5 decades, the Tema Metropolis has grown in settlement numbers but we have not seen the corresponding development of its roads as befitting to make life easier and to suit the industrial nature of Tema. We will not end here; we will continue to undertake projects to better our community”.

COMMENDATION

Speaking on behalf of the Tema Community, The Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Kraku thanked MPS for its continuous support towards the development of Tema Township and admonished road users to maintain the structure.

“As a community, we have the responsibility to sustain the work that has been done by MPS; how we keep it will determine how long it will last. I advise all of us to be guardians of the things that we have. Often we like to say that it is government property but let me remind us all that we are the government, so it is our property, let us maintain it in good order for the future”

On his part, The Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Mr. Paul Ansah Asare believed that the project undertaken by MPS will forestall a much bigger problem in the future.

“What MPS has done will go a long way to prevent any future hold-ups in traffic that we may have and this is laudable. As we take measures to position the Tema Port as the Port of call in Africa, we anticipate an increase in cargo volumes which will mean that our transport systems have to be upgraded. MPS has taken the lead in doing this and we are only happy to be partners in building a world-class shipping industry for our country.”

Some frequent users of the road facility also shared their experiences following the upgrade of the road.

“I used to ply this route to Accra but I had to stop at a point because of the long queues. If you live here in Tema or used this road before the expansion you would understand what I am telling you. So anytime I went to load cargo in the Port, I used the beach road although it was a long commute to Accra. But now, after the expansion of this road, I don’t waste time in traffic. I am able to load a container and return it the same day”.

Nasiru, Haulage Truck Driver.

“I attend Tema Technical Senior High School but I live in Ashaiman. I have been using this route to school for the past two years but I’ll say that my final year has seen a change. I’m not the only one. You can ask my other friends who also live in Ashaiman. Formerly, we were always late to school although we set of early and we were almost always punished. Now, we are virtually hailed when we get to school. This new road has really helped.”

Billy Incoom, Final Year Student; Tema Technical Senior High School

“I’m a taxi driver and let me be quick to say that since this road was opened, I’ve noticed a marginal increase in sales and I’m hoping that as time goes on there will be a substantial improvement. I no longer stay in traffic for long periods wasting fuel for nothing.”

Francis Agbe, Taxi Driver; Aflao Station

BACKGROUND

Works on the Tema Motorway Roundabout was launched earlier in 2016 while official construction works began in October.

The rehabilitated Roundabout apart from easing the traffic congestion will also provide a smooth and safe commute for the thousands of motorists that use the Motorway and its associated roads.

MPS is a joint venture of GPHA, APM Terminals and Bolloré Transport & Logistics. The company is currently spearheading the expansion of the Tema Port.