…deal involves provision of 89 modular bridges
Government has signed a two-year agreement with a UK firm Mabey Bridge to facilitate the delivery of 89 modular, steel, emergency-response bridges to restore critical infrastructure across the country at a cost of £43million.
The project is part of the Ministry of Roads and Highways’ strategy to improve connectivity for rural communities to enable quicker, safer and more efficient access to employment, education and healthcare. It also incorporates a comprehensive training package for local engineers and technicians delivered by expert qualified bridge installation engineers, both in the UK and in-country.
The British company Mabey Bridge has already installed modular steel bridging solutions to more than 150 countries across the world. The company is said to have extensive experience in the delivery of comprehensive financed bridging programmes in support of rural and urban infrastructure development.
Roads and Highways Minister, Kwesi Amoako Attah, said the development demonstrates government’s commitment to ensure that rural communities benefit from the provision of superior infrastructure to improve their livelihoods.
British High Commissioner Iain Walker said the 89 bridges deployed across the country show the strength of the UK-Ghana partnership: a long-term partnership working for long-term benefit of Ghana.
He said this deal developed at the third UK-Ghana Business Council in 2019 will improve connectivity for communities across the country, making daily journeys to school and work both safer and faster. “Together, we are committed to creating opportunities that move beyond aid and toward the trade and investment relationships which drive economic growth and local job creation.”
Chief Executive of Mabey Bridge, Michael Treacy, expressed delight in working with the government of Ghana to help expedite and successfully implement this urgent, high-profile project. He added that sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure is critically important to post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation; and “we very much look forward to working in partnership with the Ghanaian government to deliver this ambitious programme”.
Her Majesty’s Trade Envoy for Ghana, Adam Afriyie, said UK partnerships with Ghana such as the Mabey Bridge emergency bridge supplies demonstrate the effective collaboration between the UK government and Ghana. “This project shows the UK’s ability to mobilise the best of our shared expertise, with the technical skills to offer world-class solutions to the increasing need for improving infrastructure in Ghana to support its development.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Roads and Highways is said to have signed a contract with BHM working with Nurizon International of the UK and Aurecon Africa to construct the Tema – Aflao road project, being phase-one of the project. The two-year project is expected to employ more than 500 people, providing them with extensive training.
