By Ashiadey Dotse
Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Agbodza, has announced that farmers whose crops are affected by the construction of the Asutuare-Aveyime road will receive compensation from the government.
He made this assurance during an inspection tour of the first phase of the Eastern Corridor Road Development Programme. Hon Agbodza also emphasized that the government recognizes the impact the project may have on farmlands and will ensure that affected farmers are fairly compensated.
“We will compensate farmers whose crops are affected,” he said. “However, we will not compensate for any structures built after the project was approved and the cost was finalized.”
He raised concerns about individuals who take advantage of such projects by putting up buildings within road corridors just to demand compensation later. According to him, this practice must be discouraged.
“It’s becoming a habit. Once people hear a road is coming, they rush to build in the right of way, expecting the government to pay them. This is wrong and we will not support it,” he stated.
The 63.1-kilometre Asutuare-Aveyime road project is expected to be completed in 24 months. It includes the construction of a 39-kilometre single carriageway from Dufor Adidome to Asikuma Junction, a 23.9-kilometre two-lane single carriageway from Asutuare to Aveyime, and an interchange with slip roads at Asikuma Junction.
The project forms part of the Eastern Corridor Road Development Programme and is aimed at improving transportation and boosting economic activities in the region.
