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N JUABEN S: We are burnt on fixing Koforidua roads – Okyere Baafi

The Member of Parliament for New Juaben South Constituency, Michael Okyere Kofi Baafi, who also doubles as the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industries, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fix all deplorable roads in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional Capital.

Date Created : 5/25/2023 12:00:00 AM : Story Author : Ghanadistricts.com

“As we speak, 80 percent of all Koforidua roads have been awarded to contractors and are expected to commence work soon” he maintained.

The MP said in a statement issued on Tuesday, May 23rd 2023 that, from last year 2022 and throughout this year 2023, through our concerted efforts all town roads, including ancillary, auxiliary and tributary roads in the New Juaben South are all already in plan to be fixed.

More than 80% of the roads in Koforidua have been given out on contracts and contractors will soon move to side to start and complete their work”

The statement by the legislature followed a threat by a group calling itself Koforidua Development Advocates (KDA) to demonstrate on Thursday, 8 th June, 2023 over deteriorating roads in New Juaben South and North Municipalities.

The Deputy Minister appreciated residents' intended demonstration for roads rehabilitation; however, said “their demonstration has only come at a time the road project is already in the offing. Maybe, we can call it coincidence but a lot has already gone on behind the curtains. In the coming we, residents of Koforidua will begin so smile”.

The MP in his statement affirmed that some significant engagements have been made by the Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong; the Municipal Chief Executive and himself, the Member of Parliament for the New Juaben South Constituency to have all roads in Koforidua fixed.

As MP and by dint of hard work I have personally lobbied for the construction of roads in Nyamekorm, Magazine and Trom which roads were not initially part of Governments initial earmarked projects for the constituency. But as this year has been declared the year of roads, my humbly plea was graciously acceded to and work has started on these otherwise abandoned roads”

The statement also highlighted further that “it is important to not that I have been consistently advocating for the government to prioritize the rehabilitation of Koforidua roads, and I have been actively engaging with constituents on this matter through various media engagements, especially on Koforidua based Afeema 103:30FM on Mondays”

Mr. Okyere-Baafi stated that construction of Koforidua roads was delayed to the IMF programme stating now that Ghana has secured an IMF deal government intends to embark on massive roads projects including that of Koforidua roads.

I would like to start the rigorous road construction projects that suffered an abrupt halt because as per the IMF agreements all such works had to be suspended until authorization has been received to continue. This accounts for the slow progress of works on our roads.

Following the approval of the IMF, the government plans to initiate extensive road construction projects across the country, including Koforidua roads”.

The MP in the statement implored all his constituents to stay calm as the weeks ahead the citizenry of Koforidua are going to witness the continuation of stalled roads construction in the constituency.

“I wish to reassure that myself as the MP, Municipal Chief Executive and the Eastern Regional Minister have not slept on our oars; we will fight tirelessly to win more road projects in the New Juaben South.

In spite of what is penned down in the statement, the government has deployed two giant contractors to fix the Koforidua deplorable roads.

About 35 kilometers of Koforidua roads are expected to be asphalted.