By Peter Agengre
Upper East Regional Minister Mr. Donatus Akamugri Atanga has assured the chiefs and people of the area that work on the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom road project would be completed as soon as government releases funds for its development. He mentioned that workers would be given the necessary protection when they resume work, hence no need to hold back works on the 117.94 kilometers road project due to the Bawku conflict.
“The conflict is not the way people outside this jurisdiction think it is. It doesn’t really affect workers. There has never been a time that workers on this road have been attacked because they were working. So we are sure that work on the road can continue until it is completed without any attack.” Mr. Akamugri explained.
Mr. Akamugri also indicated that the international road linking Bolgatanga to Bawku and to the Burkina Faso Border in Pulmakom is the heartbeat of the region considering the fact that it connects over to the Eastern Corridor road. He reminded government that the Eastern Corridor road would not be comprehensive without completing the Bolga-Bawku-Pulmakom road projects.
“We want to plead with the Minister of Roads and Highways to expedite action and work closely with the finance minister to source funding for the completion of the project. When this project is completed, then the eastern corridor road project, when fully completed would then have a whole first class road network in this area. So I will also follow up to the Members of Parliament of this region so that we can mount pressure on the ministers for the completion of the project.” He concluded.
The Regional Minister was addressing chiefs and people at the project site near the Bolga Kulaa during an inspection tour of the Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon. Governs Kwame Agbodza. Mr. Agbodza was conducting a confirmation inspection tour of all uncompleted roads projects before they commence work on them hopefully by June, 2025.
The Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom Road Projects were awarded in 2016 under the erstwhile John Mahama regime but stalled. It was re-awarded by President Akuffo Addo to a Brazilian firm, Queiroz Galvao MI in 2017 and expected to be completed in March 2023. However, work on it stalled after some sixty four percent of work done.
