Construction Companies rehabilitating the Baba Yara Sports Stadium and City Hotel in Kumasi have assured a Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspection team of the early completion of the projects.

The projects are parts of venues for the hosting of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) 2008 soccer tournament.

The Project Manager of China State Construction Company working on the City Hotel project, Mr Mu, and Mr Stefano Ramella, Managing Director of Waterville Consar Construction Company, also working on the stadium gave the assurance when the inspection team led by Mr Slim Alolo, a CAF Consultant, inspected progress of work on the two projects in Kumasi on Thursday.

Other members of the team were of Mr Jean Marie Weber, Marketing Consultant of CAF, Mr Suleiman Habuba, CAF Communications Director and Mr Iddris Akkai, Vice-President of Sports 5.

The team was accompanied by Dr Kofi Amoah, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Ghana CAN 2008, Mr. Rex Danquah, Chief Operating Officer and Mr Rex Brobbey, General Co-ordinator both of the Ghana CAN 2008.

They were accompanied by some members of the Ashanti Region LOC Committee in Kumasi led by Oseadeeyo Abrefa Nketia VII, Paramount Chief of Wenchi Traditional Council and former Ashanti Regional Principal Sports Organiser.

The two projects are very critical to the success of the tournament and the Team was in Kumasi to see the progress of work and how best to support the contractors to provide quality work to the satisfaction of the organisers of the competition.

Briefing the Team on the progress of work so far undertaken at the City Hotel, Mr Mu said they have completed work on the two Restaurants and a Casino and would finish with the roofing works of the Hotel by the end of December this year.

He said they would purchase all the needed materials in February next year and start work immediately and was optimistic that they will complete the work by November 2007.

Mr Mu said the Hotel has 112 rooms, eight VIP rooms, 60 double and 34 single rooms, a swimming pool, mock rooms and a conference Hall which can accommodate over 300 people.

The team leader, Mr Alolo said the facility was very important to CAF to ensure a successful tournament and the members will therefore continue to monitor its progress and would visit the site in September, 2007 to see how fa the works have gone.

The Team was met at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium by Mr Ramella who conducted them round the project to inspect the progress of work.

Mr Ramella called for regular and prompt inspections so that if there were any modifications or corrections they could undertake it at the appropriate time to avoid any late alterations.

The Inspection Team commended the two contractors for the progress so far made and said they were ready to support them to complete the projects on schedule.

Source: GNA