Adji Oteth Ayassor, Minister of Economy and Finance of Togo: "I am satisfied with the work Tandjouaré-Cinkanssé"

Together with his colleague from Public Works, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Adji Oteth Ayassor reviewed the ongoing work on the Tandjouaré-Cinkanssé-Frontière section of Burkina Faso. This exit, in the presence of all the stakeholders involved in the project, informed and reinforced the silver on the realities inherent in the realization of such a work. He did not hide his great satisfaction.

• What do you remember from your visit to the Tandjouaré-Cinkanssé-Frontière construction site in Burkina Faso with your colleague from Public Works?

We are returning from a mission to Ouagadougou where we signed a convention with the WAEMU commission in connection with the rehabilitation of the Lomé-Ouagadougou road via Cinkanssé. It is a project financed by the West African Development Bank (WADB) and other investors. He will have to put the delegated work the UEMOA commission. Hence the tripartite signature of a convention. Upon returning from this mission, we decided to make a detour by Cinkanssé to look at the construction sites carried out by EBOMAS. This decision allowed us to see, as soon as the Togolese territory entered, from the RN 1, the evolution of the works of the section Tandjouaré-Cinkanssé-Frontière of Burkina Faso.

As Minister responsible for Finance, I am particularly pleased with this visit. It showed the state of progress. The discussions with the CEO of the successful company, the Directorate General of Public Works and the monitoring mission have built on the difficulties encountered in the implementation of this project. Overall, everything is going very well. The rehabilitation project for RN 1 is evolving. Its realization takes place in standards. There are unforeseen problems on the site.

We will have to conclude an agreement to allow the company to continue and complete the work under very good conditions. Already I am delighted with what has been given me to see on the ground. As part of the facilitation of transport on the Lomé-Ouagadougou corridor, our carriers will be able to move easily. It is in the interest of the development of our two countries. In addition, in implementing the integration policy, transport facilitation is a major common concern. So this project will help foster integration between Togo and Burkina Faso.

• After what you have just noted on the construction sites as difficulties, will problems of financing unforeseen events not arise?

In any case, there is really no money problem. We have seen on the ground that problems that have not been reported in advance are being raised. That's why we're going to have to reach an agreement. In order to take account of unforeseen events which are of certain importance in the successful execution of the work. It is true that the release of funds is not going to be as easy simply because it was not planned within the project. But it's a reality that has to be taken into account. There are always uncertainties in carrying out these types of work. That is why the amendments are often registered during the market. They are concluded with the successful contractor to ensure that the infrastructure is properly completed. When I return to Lomé, I will see with my colleague from Public Works what decisions should be taken to address the concerns expressed at the moment on the construction sites.

Interview with JE