Residents of Sogakope in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region have called on government to take urgent steps to fix the deteriorating parts of the Lower Volta Bridge.
The townsfolk say the bridge has claimed about five lives in recent accidents.
Residents who spoke to Citi News’ Elvis Washington said there were too many accidents on the bridge.
“There is a portion on the bridge where there is a hole so anytime these ‘okada’ riders want to pass and they don’t watch back whether there is an incoming vehicle, or anytime they want to dodge the hole, then a car will hit or knock them down,” one gentleman said.
Another resident also said, “The crack has been here over five years now. It has caused many accidents on this bridge. There should be something that must be done about it. They have to renovate it.”
Meanwhile, the Ghana Highways Authority has said that the Sogakope bridge is safe for use and have assured that the expansion joints in poor condition will be completed by December this year.
The Authority, in a press statement further urged the public to use the bridge without fear.
“Whiles the Ghana Highway Authority is taking immediate measures to minimize any risk, motorists and other road users are entreated to continue to use the bridge,” they said.
Below is the full statement:
The Ghana Highways Authority wishes to inform the general public that, the Lower Volta Bridge at Sogakope is not in danger of collapse.
Expansion joints of the Bridge are in poor condition and action for their replacement is being taken.
It is expected that the replacement of the joints will be completed in December, 2019.
Whiles the Ghana Highway Authority is taking immediate measures to minimize any risk, motorists and other road users are entreated to continue to use the bridge.
Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.
Background
In as much the bridge has been described as a death trap over the years, the Volta Regional Minister in December 2018, responding to these claims declared that the Sogakope bridge was to be completed in six months.
He said that a contract had been awarded for the rehabilitation of the bridge.
There was also an appeal by the residents of the area to the Ghana Highways Authority to repair the rusted parts of the bridge in 2013.
SOURCE: citinewsroom.com
