The Government is to pay between 200 billion cedis and 300 billion cedis as compensation for landed properties to be affected by execution of the proposed Outer Ring Road project.
Mr. Alex Twumasi Boakye, Director, Urban Roads, who announced this, said a total of 628 properties made up of land, structures and plantations were affected by the proposed project.
Mr. Boakye said the project is being implemented in four phases and that compensation would also be paid in phases, beginning from 2006, while physical works on the project under the first phase would commence in 2007.
He announced this at a Public Forum organized by the Ministry of Road Transport in Kumasi on Friday to inform stakeholders about the latest development on the project, and also collectively discuss the way forward.
It was attended by Officials of the Ministry of Road Transport, Urban Roads, Chiefs, landlords, District Chief Executives, Assembly Members and some members of the Public.
The Outer Ring Road project, covers a distance of 67.2 kilometres, with 11 kilometres radius and starts from Afrancho, on the Kumasi-Techiman road, through Kwamo along the Kumasi-Accra road, to Ahenema-Kokoben on the Kumasi-Obuasi road, then through Apatua to Abuakwa, on the Kumasi-Sunyani road and finally ending up at Krobo.
Mr. Boakye said beneficiaries of the first compensation package are those whose properties fall under the first phase of the project.
He stated that properties affected by the project will only be destroyed after due compensation had been paid.
Addressing the Forum, Dr. Richard Anane, Minister of Road Transport, commended the chiefs and communities affected by the project for their understanding, support and co-operation.
He said since the project was a national asset and belonged to them all, it was vital for them to continue to be supportive of all efforts to bring it to fruition.
Dr. Anane also said since the project transcends four Districts, namely the Kumasi Metropolis, Ejisu-Juaben, Kwabre and Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma, it was important that such Assemblies also contribute their quota to smooth execution of the project.