By Mildred Siabi-Mensah
Fijai (WR) Nov. 27, GNA – The Attachy Construction Limited is putting finishing touches to the main auditorium, external fencing, pavements and parking space of the Western Regional Centre for National Culture.
Works on the project are expected to be completed in December this year.
The current estimates of GHc45 million would help to complete the outstanding project on the 2,000-seater capacity project, started in 1988, but stopped due to inadequate funds.
The project included a closed theatre, stage lighting systems and with an orchestra pitch, wooden furnishing for the stage, a crafts village, a two -storey 88-bed capacity artists hostel, an administrative block, a sociological garden, a research library and a museum as well as an open-air theatre.
Some outstanding works also include polishing of terrazzo flooring, mending of some leakages, excavation to check flooding, external works (terracing and landscaping), spotlights, car park, provision of furniture and public address systems.
Mr. Eric Annan, the Regional Consultant of the Architectural Engineering Services Limited (AESL), told journalists during an inspection of the project on Tuesday that, work on the project was about 60 percent complete, adding that what remained was the external works and pavements works.
Mr. Andrew Egyapa Mercer, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, who had been instrumental in the revival of the theatre complex confirmed that, the contractor, Attachy Construction Ltd, had received certificates worth GHC 45 million from the Ministry of Finance.
He confirmed that the work on the project was in progress.
He expressed joy that the Finance Ministry agreed to provide Government of Ghana (GOG) funding to help complete the CNC project, assuring that, what remained would be the polishing of the floors and the exterior works.
Mr. Mercer explained that Central Tender Review Board conducted an integrity test before the project was approved for funding.
He said: “We’re committed to complete the project before December, this year. You have seen that the contractor is on site, and we are clear in our vision to preserve and promote Ghana’s rich cultural heritage to become a vibrant hub for cultural activities.
“We’re optimistic that Attachy Construction will meet this commitment, enabling our creative arts industry to utilise this infrastructure soon,”
He said the revival of the CNC auditorium and ancillary features would not only transform the Sekondi- Takoradi economy, but also provide a platform for artists, musicians, and performers to display their talents.
Mr. Mark Okraku Mantey, The Deputy Minister, Tourism, Arts and Culture described the project as a “beautiful project” to renew hope in the industry.
The government, he said, was passionate about the arts industry and assured us that work on the amphitheatre at CNC Fijai, would soon begin.
Mr. Akwasi Agyeman the Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Tourism Authority, recalled that, four years ago, a team visited the CNC theatre complex at Fijai, to assess the project, and was happy about the resumption of work.
Mr. Agyeman mentioned that meetings, exhibitions, and conferences were now a vital source of revenue and that it was imperative to invest in such infrastructure.
GNA