Ghana approves GH¢10m funds for Kumasi, Sunyani airports rehabilitation

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has approved GH¢10 million for the expansion and rehabilitation of the runway at the Kumasi and Sunyani airports, to accommodate more and larger aircrafts.

Contracts on the projects, including widening and extension of the runway had been awarded and work expected to commence by the close of the year.

Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister of Transport, announced these at the opening session of the 2012 Transport Sector Performance Review, in Sunyani on Thursday.

Representatives of stakeholders in the transport sector, including the Driver, Vehicle and Licensing Authority, National Road Safety Commission, transport unions and organisation are attending the two-day conference that was on the theme: “Transport infrastructure and services, catalyst for economic development”.

Alhaji Dauda explained that the aviation sub-sector had undergone tremendous growth this year, both at the international and domestic levels.

This growth, he said was attributed to the increase in domestic airlines and growing public interest and confidence in domestic air travel.

Alhaji Dauda said on the international route, two new international airlines, Air Mali and Liberia had commenced operations to Accra, bringing the total number of international airlines to 32.

With regards to infrastructure, the Transport Minister said work on the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) Phase III project, including the construction of eight aprons for wide body aircraft, which would bring the total number of parking bays to 22 was on course.

Alhaji Dauda observed that despite all these, there were still challenges that needed to be dealt with such as the expansion of the terminal building at the KIA, the regional airports, and more especially, the upgrading of the Tamale airport.

He said the maritime transport sub-sector was also experiencing significant growth with the process for the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority infrastructure programme for both Tema and Takoradi ports steadily progressing.

Alhaji Dauda was optimistic that the process for the engagement of the contractor would be expedited for works on the Takoradi port to start before the end of the year.

He said similarly, the development of the 11 coastal fishing ports and fish landing sites with related on-land facilities would soon commence.

Alhaji Dauda said additionally, reconstruction of net-mending wharf and dredging of the canoe basin at the Tema fishing harbour were expected to be completed by the end of the year.

With regards to railways, the Minister explained that the railway master plan to guide the development of the rail sub-sector would be completed by the end of the year.

Alhaji Dauda said government had started rehabilitation works on the Sekondi-Takoradi via Kojokrom urban rail line and its completion would bring back the much cherished rail services to the people in those communities.

He explained that the Western line rehabilitation project was on course as efforts were being made to engage a contractor to start work.

Alhaji Dauda announced that the Ghana Railways Company Limited would soon be restructured to address challenges facing the company, particularly, the retooling of the labour force to improve their services.

He expressed concern about the increasing rate of road crashes and the attendant consequences in the country.

Alhaji Dauda lamented that from January to September this year, 1,072 people died through 1,072 road fatalities in the country.

He said the situation was unacceptable as causes of the road crashes were attributed to human error.

Alhaji Dauda emphasised that road safety was a collective responsibility, and called on the general pubic to support such measure.

Mr Eric Opoku, Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, said the road sector in the region had undergone a lot of transformation, as various road projects and constriction of culverts had been undertaken by the Ghana Highway Authority, Departments of Feeder Road and Urban roads for the past three-and-a-half years.

He said the sector had embarked upon a total stretch of 813.28 kilometres road constructions, valued at GH¢344,079,055.66, some of which had been completed while others were at various stages of completion.

Mr Opoku announced that contracts for GH¢13,705,900.95 worth projects had been signed for spot improvement of 46 roads in the region under the Cocoa Funded Roads Improvement Project, being executed by the Department of feeder roads.

Source: GNA