By Kamal Ahmed
Somanya (E/R), Dec. 06, GNA – Construction work on the Somanya–Kpong and Somanya–Asitey corridors have resumed and is steadily progressing, bringing renewed hope to residents and businesses whose daily lives and economic activities have long been disrupted by the poor state of the road.
Mrs Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, the Eastern Regional Minister, has toured the area to inspect the ongoing works on the 11-kilometre Somanya–Kpong stretch and the kilometre Somanya–Asitey corridor.
Her tour aimed to assess progress and reassure communities that the revived project would continue without the stoppages that previously derailed it.
Mrs Awatey, accompanied by Mr Francis Addo Akumatey and Mr John Matey, respectively the Yilo and Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Chief Executives (MCEs), noted that the President Mahama-led administration had now secured the necessary funding as part of its economic-reset strategy to revive stalled projects affecting productivity and local commerce.
“Our government is a listening one with a lot in the pipeline to offer the citizenry, including my own Krobo people,” she said.
She emphasised that once completed, the improved road network would reduce travel time, lower transport and maintenance costs for drivers, and encourage business expansion along the corridor.
“I am appealing to residents and shop owners to support the contractor during the construction phase to ensure smooth progress,” she added.
Mr Billy Brigham Deku, the Project Manager for General Construction Limited, confirmed that work was ongoing but warned that some pedestrians and motorists continued to ignore safety signs, putting themselves at risk and slowing down their operations.
“We urge road users to exercise patience and cooperate with the construction team, especially when heavy machinery is at work. The road will undergo triple surface dressing, and major structural works are expected to be completed by August 2026,” he said.
The project, which began in June 2024 under the former Akufo-Addo administration, stalled due to delays in government funds and tand tand the abandoned stretch had become a major challenge for farmers, traders, transport operators, and residents, , , leading to increased transport fares, vehicle damage, unreliable travel times, and reduced access to markets and health facilities.
For many community members, the steady presence of machinery on the ground representededed hope and wand wand while dust and diversions remain ongoing inconveniences, residents believeddd the finished road wouououlddd restore easier access to markets, schools, farms, and health facilities, , , reviving social life and improving the local economy.
Though construction is still underway, for the people of Somanya and Kpong, it marks a long-awaited step toward safer mobility, stronger economic activity, and renewed development confidence.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo