Work is steadily progressing on the terminal section of the Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal (BILT), popularly known as the ‘Boankra Inland Port Project’.
This came to light during a recent tour of the project site, following the recommencement of work on the project by Justmoh Construction.
The contract for the recommencement of work on the project was earlier awarded in 2020, after President Akufo-Addo had cut sod for the project which had stalled for many years.
But speaking in an interview with the press, the Project Manager for Justmoh Construction Limited, Saddique Jarrar, said his outfit hit the ground on 10th October this year.
According to him, based on the pace of work, he is optimistic about meeting the deadline in the first quarter of 2024.
“We need to cut and fill the land to have a levelled ground for the terminal area before any construction can start”, he added.
The Project covers 413 acres of land. He however revealed that certain portions of the land is waterlogged and has to be worked on.
This he said will require a deep filling with rocks to stabilise the area in order to avert any structural challenges in the future when the terminal starts experiencing heavy traffic.
The Boankra Inland Project, which has been on the drawing board for some eighteen years is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2024.
When completed, the project will provide service to importers and exporters in the middle and northern parts of the country, and also to act as a major conduit for the efficient transportation of transit traffic to and from neighboring landlocked countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
Touching on the prospects of the project, Minister for Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah said the terminal will inure to the benefit of the country, adding that he is also optimistic Justmoh Construction will deliver on its expectations.
Mr. Asiamah said the project forms part of the strategic transport network being developed to bring import and export service to the middle and northern parts of the country.
He noted that government is committed to seeing to the realization of the project.
Residents of Boankra have over the years bemoaned the abandoned project.
However, the renewed works on the project site have calmed their anger and they are hopeful things will turn out as expected.
“I’m glad contractors are on site working their heart out to make the project a reality. After completion, our local economy will flourish”, a farmer envisaged.
