The Member of Parliament for Effia, Isaac Yaw Boamah Nyarko, has made a compelling case for the construction of key inner roads within his constituency.
He has argued that projects such as the Lagos Town and CDH roads can no longer be viewed merely as constituency development initiatives but as critical transport infrastructure that will support the upcoming dualisation of the Takoradi – Cape Coast Highway.
With government set to undertake the ambitious highway expansion under the Big Push Agenda, attention is increasingly turning to how traffic will be managed along one of the busiest road corridors in the Western Region during the construction period.
For Boamah Nyarko, the answer lies partly in ensuring that strategic alternative routes within the constituency are upgraded before major works commence on the highway.
The Takoradi – Cape Coast Highway serves as a major artery for commuters, commercial transport operators and businesses across the region. Significant sections of the road pass through Effia Constituency, making the availability of reliable diversion routes essential if disruptions associated with the dualisation project are to be minimised.
It was against this backdrop that the MP took to the floor of Parliament to press the Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, for an update on plans to construct the Lagos Town inner roads and that of CDH.
Responding to the question, the Minister acknowledged the importance of the project but indicated that “there is no programme on this road currently.” “However, engineering design studies have been carried out on this section of the road for consideration upon availability of funds.”
The Minister further disclosed that discussions had already been held with the Effia MP on possible measures to accelerate the project. “I can confirm that my colleague has been to my office and we discussed whatever step we will take to make sure we get this done quickly, and we haven’t departed from that.”
In a follow-up submission, Mr. Boamah Nyarko acknowledged that engineering works on the Lagos Town Road have already been completed and forwarded to the Department of Urban Roads, making the project ripe for implementation once funding is secured. According to him, the Lagos Town Road covers approximately three kilometres, while roads around the CDH enclave and adjoining communities account for an additional seven to ten kilometres.
“…and they are all at various stages of completion.”
The MP subsequently appealed to the Minister to prioritise funding for the roads and facilitate the return of contractors to site. “If you could make funds available to deal with this and also to clear the contractor to come to the CDH roads and the other few routes that don’t even amount to three kilometres, it will be of tremendous relief to the motoring public.”
The significance of the request extends beyond the immediate needs of residents. Once construction begins in earnest on the Takoradi-Cape Coast Highway, roads such as Lagos Town and the CDH enclave are expected to become vital diversion routes capable of easing congestion and maintaining the movement of people and goods within the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis.
The MP therefore insisted that his call is not just a plea for local road improvements but a strategic proposal aimed at ensuring the success of one of government’s flagship infrastructure projects.
“With engineering designs already completed and awaiting funding approval, I strongly believe that prioritising these roads now could help avert major traffic challenges when work on the highway gathers momentum,” he later told ConnectNews.
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By Eric Yaw Adjei
