Okyehene and Others Inspect Bad Roads in E/R

Some Chiefs in the Eastern Region yesterday toured a number of bad roads in the area to ascertain the level of destruction, how negative it has affecting productivity of the country and called on government to step-up efforts towards its reconstruction to enhance business activities and the safety of the travelling public. 

The inspections were the chiefs’ way of showing their dissatisfaction on the abandoned road projects in the region and empathize with drivers and passengers who ply the roads.
 
Radio Ghana's Correspondent Stephen Amponsah Mensah who joined the delegation, reports that the chiefs, drawn from nine out of the eleven Traditional Councils were joined by some Members of Parliament in the region to inspect the Koforidua-Bunso, Suhum-Asamankese, Adeiso and the Suhum Section of the Accra-Kumasi road. 

They later converge at the Suhum-durbar ground where the chiefs took turns to address the media. 

The President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, Osagyefour Amoatia Ofori- Panin, described the roads in the region as a death trap instead of an access road to cart goods and services to other parts of the country. 

He also termed as a shame for the country in 50 years not able to connect its two commercial cities, Accra and Kumasi, with an accessible road to enhance trading activities. 

Adding that the country is now seen as incomplete as all major projects initiated by government is yet to be completed. 

Osagyefour Amotia Ofori Panin noted that, good roads create enabling environment for business to thrive and creates job opportunities therefore the need for government to give priority to the road sector. 

This according to him will also reduce the high rate of road carnage in the country. 

He attributed the lack of development of the various towns and cities on government over concentration in developing Accra and lack of proper decentralization of governance. 

He asked the people to depoliticize the action of the Chiefs but rather see it as a process which is long overdue.
 
Osagyefour Amoatia ofori Panin asked government to expedite action on the reconstruction of the roads in the region since it connects almost all the other regions to the capital.
 

The Chairman of the Eastern Regional branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, Johnson Kyireh, noted that, the nature is the roads in the region is negatively affecting their business since they spend much on maintenance. 

He said they have to change their tyres almost each month since it become worn-out or get burst when plying the road. 

In an interview with some drivers and passengers who ply the Suhum-Asamankese and Suhum Section of the Accra-Kumasi road, they all called on the government to release funds to contractors to complete the road to ease the stress they go through. 

This according to them will also enhance trading activities and prevent accidents.


GBC