Newmont Akyem is
financing the construction of a 2.5 kilometre road from Adausena to New Abirem
at the cost of US$2.5million as part of the company’s development agenda to
help support communities where it operates.
The project, expected
to be completed in nine months, is being executed by TOPS Construction limited,
a local construction company in the area.
The Paramount Queen Mother
of Akyem Kotuku Traditional Area, Nana Akua Asantewaa III, cut the sod for
construction of project.
Addressing Chiefs and Assembly
members from the mining-affected communities and officials of the Ghana Highway
Authority (GHA), the General Manager of the Newmont Akyem Project .
Mr. Kevin
Moxham, said the road is being constructed as a birthday present to the Queen
Mother after she was invited by Newmont officials to their headquarters in
Durban, USA, in May this year.
He said Nana Asantewaa
could have requested for money, a 4×4 vehicle or other valuable items, but she
asked for reconstruction of the road which was in a deplorable condition for
the benefit of people in the area.
The Queen Mother on her
part urged the Chiefs in the area and the Birim North District Assembly to
mobilise resources and undertake development projects to enhance living
standards for the inhabitants.
She also asked the
contractor to employ some of the unskilled youth in the area during the
construction, in an effort to reduce the frequent demonstrations by them
against Newmont for jobs.
The Eastern Regional
Maintenance Manager of the Ghana Highway Authority, Mr. Emmanuel Odoi, advised
people whose lands were mined for gravel and chippings to sell same at reasonable
prices to the contractor to help complete the project on schedule.
The Managing Director
of TOPS Construction Limited, Nana Dr. Tano Thompson, said five youth from the
area will be trained on bulldozer operation; excavator, back-hoe and compact
operating equipment during construction of the road, and gave the assurance of
completing the project on schedule.
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