Development of the Dapaong-Ponio section: Unlocking before the hour

The populations of the Savanes region are so impressed with the work already done by EBOMAF on the Dapaong-Ponio-Frontière axis of Burkina Faso that they believe that the construction of this road stops at the stage of shaping and the foundation layer. And yet, the works of art succeed each other. The bitumen is coming soon"swallow"40 miles.

The development of the Dapaong-Ponio axis is a real breath of oxygen for the inhabitants of the Savanes region as well as for the users of this cross-border section to Burkina Faso and to the Benin, Niger. The road is currently practical in such a way that it would seem to be completed. Even if the end of the tunnel is so close, the inhabitants of the Savanes region and users of various horizons frequently and regularly use this route more than in previous years. The work that started in September 2010 is getting a real boost."For those who knew the state of this path, we are already filled at the present stage of its modernization. Look at the current traffic. It was unimaginable a few months ago. It was necessary to make a detour because of the precariousness of the section and the total absence of a bridge.", tells a teacher based in Ponio. As soon as the section was formed, traffic was miraculously resumed.

Even though the crowd of motorists is not at its peak, a few trucks and many motorcyclists drive traffic. Aware of the deviation of a large part of the traffic of the national road 1 Togolese on this section, the transit companies come to buy land in Ponio and open representations at the border of Burkina Faso.

In large strokes, the pockelins, bulldozers, tanks and dumpsters are at work to keep the deadlines. The bituminous and the finishers will soon return to the stage. At every inspection of the Minister of Public Works, Andjo Tchamdja and his technicians on the construction site, the Togolese government does not hide its satisfaction at having entrusted this work to a giant of the Building and Public Works (BTP). The progress made by EBOMAF is remarkable."Under the supervision of the Monitoring Mission, the National Building and Public Works Laboratory (LNBTP), the work is carried out according to the timetable laid down in the specifications"says Hamado Kurba, the construction manager in Dapaong. The construction site is changing by more than 70% on its schedule.

A relief of for a region and a country

From its base in Korbongo, some 15 kilometres from the capital of the Tône prefecture, EBOMAF deploys the great means to realize the Togolese state's will to de-enclave. This site houses administration, heavy machinery, fuel and cement depots, railing and prefabricated services, and concrete and coated power plants. The implementation of the planning and construction process of the route is felt throughout the journey to undertake the coating, the laterite foundation layer, the cement floor, the untreated severe (GNT) and the bituminous concrete (BB). The effervescence observed on the section shows the extent of the task. Throughout the journey, teams are active at different tasks."For the conduct of the works, EBOMAF, in its logic of using the local labour force, has called on some 20 taskers who employ on average ten people each",supports civil engineering engineer Hamado Kurba. The form (terreasing) layer, as well as the basic and foundation layers, were carried out over the thirty-eight (38) kilometres. The other steps are being taken in serenity.

The scenario of modernization of the Dapaong-Ponio road, which is so essential for cross-border traffic with Burkina Faso, Benin and Niger, follows its normal course. Although previously designed with errors of appreciation by the contractor, the works of art did not significantly influence the timing of the enterprise.

"Indeed, errors in calculations inherent in the control of structures, including the distance from the rock to the feet, have been observed at a critical stage. It was necessary to repeat the estimates and this resulted in a slight delay whose material and technical capacity enabled the company to overcome quickly".relief Hamado Kurba. These include the four bridges along the stretch: Tangamonte (60 m), Nadongou (60 m), Tamboaga (40 m) and Ponio (80 m). In this area, EBOMAF has already confirmed its perfect mastery of the construction of art works. The appropriate and efficient equipment acquired makes it possible to understand serenely any kind of construction site. The bitumen-related equipment is ready for completion. This sure shortcut to access now without difficulty to Pama, Fada N All the more so as the asphalt road of the Burkinabe part from Kompienga waits to accommodate a more intense traffic.

E.P/A.B.