The Parliament of Ghana has recently approved a concessionary contract worth $338.89 million between the government of Ghana and ATEP, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF). The contract pertains to the redevelopment and expansion of the Accra-Tema Motorway, a significant infrastructure project aimed at addressing traffic congestion and improving connectivity within the country and the West African sub-region.
The project encompasses the redevelopment of the 19.5km Accra-Tema Motorway, which forms a crucial segment of the National Road One (N1). Additionally, it includes a 5.7 km portion of the George Bush Highway and a section of the Nsawam road (N6) linking the N1 from the Neoplan interchange to Apenkwa, covering 2.5 km. Moreover, the project entails the operation and maintenance of the road, along with the installation of a road toll system on specific sections.
This initiative is part of the international transit corridors in the West African sub-region, serving as a vital link between Accra and the Tema Port, as well as to the northern part of Ghana and the landlocked Sahel regions of West Africa. The primary objective is to alleviate bottlenecks that have led to persistent traffic congestion along the corridor in recent years.
The government's initial attempt to pursue a public private partnership for the project in 2019 proved unsuccessful and was subsequently communicated to the Public Procurement Authority. Consequently, in December 2020, the government entered into a Design and Build contract (D and B contract) with the preferred bidder, following approval from the PPA. Furthermore, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was executed on April 28, 2021, by the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the Ministry of Finance to facilitate the project, granting a concession to ATEP Limited, a subsidiary of GIIF, for its implementation.
The pressing need for the project arose from the rapid deterioration of the roads, leading to severe traffic congestion. The undertaking is intended to provide efficient road infrastructure, thereby promoting sustainable socio-economic development in alignment with national and sub-regional objectives of enhancing connectivity and facilitating trade in the sub-region.
The revamped Accra-Tema Motorway is envisioned to feature 10 lanes, extending from Tema through Fiesta Royale Hotel to the Apenkwa bridge and the Neoplan stretch. Furthermore, the current Tetteh Quarshie Interchange will be remodeled to mitigate traffic congestion. The project is slated for completion within 36 months from its commencement.
In line with parliamentary procedures, on December 6, this year, the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, presented the concessionary contract agreement before Parliament as a public private partnership agreement. Subsequently, the agreement was referred to the Joint Committee on Finance and Roads and Transport for consideration and report in accordance with relevant constitutional provisions and parliamentary standing orders.
(By Sakina Ibrahim | Mydailyreports24| Ghana)
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