By Mohammed Balu
Pulima (UW/R), Aug. 14, GNA – Aschal Construction Limited, the contractor on the Pulima-Tumu Road, has begun applying the primer seal on the six-kilometre Tumu/Pulima stretch under the Government’s Big Push infrastructure programme.
The people of Pulima, the community where the primer seal started, expressed excitement at seeing one of their dusty roads being covered with bitumen.
The Ghana News Agency (GNA) interacted with some community members on their views about the current state of the road.
Some residents and road users in Pulima expressed relief and excitement over the tarring of the Pulima-Tumu Road, describing it as a major improvement that had transformed daily life and made travelling to Tumu much easier.
Mr Jibiliri Nankpa, a commercial maize farmer, commended the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government for what he described as its strong commitment to road development.
According to him, he never thought he would live to see the Pulima-Tumu Road tarred and praised the pace of work under the “Big Push” initiative.
Mr Imoro Sufyan Donmuah, an auto mechanic at Pulima, said the road had improved access to Tumu, reduced the amount of dust residents and workers had to inhale, and lowered maintenance costs for their vehicles and motorcycles.
Mr Yakubu Kuni Chesu, a farmer, also welcomed the development, saying, “We can now enjoy relief from the daily dust.”
He urged the Government to ensure that the contractors were paid to enable them to complete the project and enlarge some of the gutters, particularly those in Pulima.
Alhassan Horsu Sule, popularly known as DJ Ajingo, recalled the difficult days when moving vehicles splashed mud onto pedestrians and residents, forcing them to return home and change their clothes.
He said the muddy condition of the road had been a major challenge for the people of Pulima for many years, making the newly tarred road a source of great relief and happiness for the community.
Speaking to the GNA, Mr Mohammed Jibreel, Project Manager of Aschal Construction Limited, expressed optimism that the works could be completed by December 2026.
Mr Jibreel said the contractor had so far sealed about five kilometres of the six-kilometre stretch, leaving approximately one kilometre to be completed.
He explained that the next stage of the project would involve the application of the second seal, which was expected to be completed within two weeks, before the final, or third, seal was applied.
According to him, progress on the project had been affected by some outstanding issues, particularly concerning materials and the final designs for additional works.
Mr Jibreel said the contractor was also awaiting final decisions and designs for additional concrete works and other improvements to the road section.
The Project Manager further disclosed that the remaining one-kilometre section was linked to a planned dual-carriageway development.
He said the design was being prepared for the expansion from the four-tier intersection at the entrance to Tumu from the Wa direction, extending towards the Navrongo-Bolgatanga section.
GNA
Edited by Audrey Deklalu
Reporter: Mohammed Balu, GNA
Email: [email protected]