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LACK OF funds from government has caused many road projects across the country to be brought to a standstill. The Minister for Roads and Highways, Amin Amidu Sulemana, responding to series of questions on the floor of Parliament on Friday March 28 explained that most of the road projects will either start or be continued as soon as funds were available. Responding to some questions as to when the roads between Ho through Adaklu to Sogakope and roads in Akatsi Town will be completed, the Roads and Highways Minister said they will all be completed as soon as funds were available. On the interventions the ministry was putting in place to ensure the safety of numerous tourists and inhabitants who will use the Nkawkaw-Atibie trunk roads during the Easter holidays, Mr. Sulemana stated that it will also be done as soon as funds were ready. He further explained they have, however, asked another contractor to keep the road in good shape while the main contractor mobilizes to the site while they prepare documents for funds. Answering a question on when the 10km road from Oyoko to Banko-Nsuta would be completed, the Roads and Highways Minister stated that the contractor moved out of site due to financial constraints but promised to move to site as soon as the situation improves. He said the road is currently undergoing a contract under stage two to provide concrete drains and sealing of the entire road and was about 43% completed. Responding to a question on when the construction of the Bolgatanga-Bawku trunk road will be completed, he said the road was being improved in phases starting from the worst section. He added that the section of the road between KM 12 and 24.5 is currently under contract for partial reconstruction with progress of work about 30% adding that the contractor is expected to complete the job by July 2014. �The remaining stretch of the road is being studied up to Polmakom for engineering design after which the Ministry will source for funds for its implementation,� Mr. Sulemana said. On the Konongo-Praso feeder road, the Minister said the first 16.48km was awarded in three phases for up-grading to bituminous surface; however, the contracts have been terminated due to nonperformance after the demise of the contractor. �The works have been repackaged to be re-awarded on contract by September, 2014,� Mr. Sulemana noted. Answering a question on when the bridge on River Bisaa linking communities such asAttaala, Berekum, Ohiampenika, Kwao and other communities on the Nkekenso junction to Ohiampenika feeder road, he said the bridge was awarded for construction under an ACROW/GOG bridges programme in April 2, 2011. However, the contract has been �terminated as a result of non-performance by the contractor. At the time of termination one abutment had been constructed while the other was at foundation level,� he said. In addition, �the outstanding works have been repackaged and Department for Feeder Roads is negotiating with a new contractor.� On construction of speed ramps on the Ho-Denu road to stop the rampant pedestrian accidents leading to several deaths on the highway, the Roads and Highways Minister said a comprehensive safety audit has been carried along the road from Ho-Denu-Havedzi in the year 2013. But the outcome of the study indicates over-speeding as the course of accidents. A solution to the problem was the construction of speed calming devices around the settlements and added that it is an emergency situation and is being considered under the 2014 budget.