General News of Thursday, 23 June 2016
Source: Myjoyonline.com
Kanazoe road highly praised by Mahama
A recently commissioned road in the Volta region described by President John Mahama as “one of the best quality roads” in Ghana has developed potholes.
The Nkwanta South DCE Alfred Kofi Wukanye told Joy News regional correspondent Hubert Mawuli he has had cause to complain to the regional minister about the Kankyakura- Gbadago stretch of the road.
Joy News checks found at least nine potholes and developing potholes on the Dodo Pepeso-Nkwanta road built at a cost of €25.9 million.
During April 19, 2016, commissioning, President John Mahama was full of praise for the Burkinabe contractor, Djibril Kanazoe.
“I also want to take the opportunity to thank Messrs Oumarou Kanazoe Contractors Limited of Burkina Faso for the very high quality of work they have done on this stretch of road. As I have said, perhaps, this is one of the best quality roads in Ghana today and I will urge the Minister of Road and Highways to bring other contractors to come and see so that they can emulate it in other parts of the country.”
But since the commissioning, Joy News investigation by Manasseh Azure has found that President John Mahama received a Ford Expedition gift valued at $100,000 from the Burkinabe contractor in 2012.
The revelations have put the government under scrutiny and the road has become the latest issue of public interest.
While large sections of the road appear to be in good shape, there are spots on Kankyakura- Gbadago section showing that the bitumen surface is eroding, revealing a sandy strata.
According to the DCE Alfred Kofi Wukanye, some sections of the road need “serious engineering”. He explained that the regional minister has forwarded concerns to the Ghana Highway Authority.
The Authority has assured the minister it will be inspecting the road to ascertaining the extent of the repairs needed.
A driver told Joy News’ “we use the road in the night so if the potholes become bigger it will disturb our driving”.
Until the construction, the road was a prohibitive route especially when it rains.