Completion of the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom and the Eastern Corridor Roads will be a top priority for a future National Democratic Congress government, flagbearer of the NDC John Dramani Mahama has said.
The two projects are critical national infrastructure as they connect various parts of the country.
While the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom Road links several districts in the Upper East Region to neighbouring countries, the Eastern Corridor Road traverses a number of regions to the national capital.
The Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom Road, which was given out on contract in December 2016, was progressing significantly until early 2023 when works stalled due government’s failure to honour its financial obligations to the contractor.
Quiróz Galvão, the contractor has since left site with its equipment and yet to return.
For the Eastern Corridor Road, which has been divided into 7 lots, several portions of the project have been completed.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Kusaug Traditional Area as part of his Building Ghana Tour of the Upper East Region, Mr. Mahama, while noting the stall of work on the project, assured that hid government will ensure projects are completed if he is elected.
“We started the Bolga-Bawku-Pulmokom Road and I expected that by now, it would have been completed. Unfortunately, it looks like its God’s will that we who started will come and come out project and so I wish to assure you that when we come, we will complete the Bolga-Bawku-Pulmokom Road”.
He added, “We also will complete the Eastern Corridor Road which is suppose to start from Kulungugu all the way through Nakpanduru, all the way through Jasikan, Hohoe, Peki and to Tema. So that there will be a short route for going down south instead of going through Tamale”.
He criticised the Akufo-Addo-led government for abandoning most of the projects, he said, were initiated by his government.
He stated that his administration had started various projects including rural electrification and construction of irrigation facilities.
However, since he exited power, the said projects have either been abandoned or progressing at a snail pace, he added.
Mr. Mahama said his government will, upon assumption of office if given the nod, resume works on all abandoned projects before initiating new ones.
“When the NDC was in government, we were extending electricity to many communities. After we left, all that has come to a standstill. Unfortunately, there are still many communities that are awaiting to receive electric power. I want to assure them as I stand here in the Bawku Naba’s palace that when we come, the electrification project will start again and they will get power,” he stated.
