The current ease in traffic being experienced at the Tema motorway roundabout is expected to become a permanent feature. Additionally, the improved landscape and illumination around the area would help beautify the roundabout and make it safer for pedestrians and motorists at night.

This was made known by the Head of Road Implementation at the Meridian Ports Services (MPS), Mr. Victor Moutinho at a brief ceremony organized to officially hand over the reconstructed Tema motorway roundabout to the government of Ghana and to symbolize the opening of the improved road network for use by motorists and the general public.

Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah (MP), who commissioned the project lauded the Meridian Ports Services (MPS) for their contribution towards the expansion of critical infrastructure in the country.

He said the government was pleased that MPS had stepped in to deliver such an important project which will alleviate transport difficulties on the Trans-West African Highway which links Accra to Lomé.

Mr. Amoako-Attah called on the business community to emulate the gesture of MPS adding that government is prepared for such partnerships.

“After eight months of hard work, MPS has concluded the improvement works and as we can all see, traffic is flowing more freely through the roundabout and we are happy for it. We wish to use this opportunity to encourage institutions and organization to take up the challenge of supporting Government in the delivery of social services to the citizenry through various forms of Corporate Social Responsibility as displayed by Meridian Ports Services,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of the Meridian Ports Services (MPS), Mr. Mohamed Samara on his part, called on stakeholders in the Roads sector to pay attention to the redevelopment of road infrastructure in the country.

This he says would enable road networks in the country become more responsive to the transportation needs of citizens and the business community. According to Mr. Samara, the project was done with the sole aim of bringing relief to commuters who have suffered traffic inconveniences over the years.

“We must focus more on rehabilitating our poor road networks. This would mean that all of us; private sector, transport operators, road users, government, would have to play our part. We can enhance trade, transport and productivity if we have good roads and that is exactly our motive for which we committed ourselves to this project as part of our social initiatives. We hope that it would significantly ease transport in this area” he said.

Commenting on the importance of the project to business at the Tema Port, Director General for the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) Mr. Paul Asare Ansah said the facility will facilitate the transport of haulage to and from the Port. He noted that this is one of the many interventions needed to create easy access to the Tema Port especially for heavy duty trucks which are the main category of vehicles plying the route.

“This would greatly impact container haulage which has been a major problem because of the nature of this roundabout and the congestion that existed here. As a port Authority, we have been concerned about this problem and that is why we strongly supported MPS to execute this project. We commend them for this and hope that we can work together to improve all aspects of doing business at the Port” he remarked.

Speaking on behalf of the Chiefs and people of Tema, Chief Executive of Tema Metropolitan Assembly, Mr. Felix Mensah Nii Anang-La, thanked the Meridian Port Services for the gesture and assured that his outfit would maintain the facility and all roads in the Metropolis.

In attendance at the event was the Member of Parliament for Tema Central Hon. Kofi Brako, the Tema Mantse, Dr. Nii Adjei Kraku II, officials from GPHA and the Maritime sector as well as Chiefs and people from the Tema, Kpone and Ningo areas.