Residents of communities along the Tumu-Banu road in Ghana have appealed to Mawums Construction Limited, the contractor working on the stretch, to increase the size and height of some bridges. The road is being constructed under the Government's Big Push for Infrastructure Development Programme. While commending the contractor for the quality work, residents raised concerns about the capacity of some bridges to accommodate the volume of water that flows through the area during heavy rains.
The Tumu-Banu road is a vital transportation link in northern Ghana, and residents are eager to see the project completed. However, they are worried that some bridges may not be able to withstand the heavy water flows during the rainy season. Mr. Seidu Sumaila Butu, Assembly Member for the Banu Electoral Area, said the Kunchogu-Kawuragu bridge was too low and risked being submerged during heavy rains. He also expressed concerns about the construction of gutters in the Kunchogu community.
Mr. Butu alleged that gutters in the Kunchogu community had not been properly constructed to receive water flowing through the community. He said an abandoned gutter had become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The Assembly Member for Kunchorkor also raised similar concerns, stressing the need to ensure that the bridges were adequately designed to withstand heavy water flows and protect the road from damage.
Other residents also shared their concerns about the road construction. Mr. Borsu Siafu, a resident of the Dimajang community, said the gutters constructed within the community were narrow and had reduced the width of the road. He also expressed concern about the lack of designated parking spaces for vehicles in the communities and appealed to the contractor to address the situation.
Residents are calling for specific changes to the bridge design. Mr. Siafu said the bridge between Tumu and Naveriewie, as well as the Kunchorkor bridge, should be carefully reviewed and, where necessary, expanded to accommodate unexpected volumes of water. The residents' concerns are not limited to the bridges, as some are also calling for additional infrastructure to benefit communities along the route.
The project has received support from local leaders and residents, who see it as a welcome development. Mr. Roger Forkor, a poultry farmer, described the road project as a welcome development and expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for the decision to tar the road, which he said had been in a poor state since independence. Some women who spoke to the Ghana News Agency also expressed satisfaction with the ongoing construction.
The contractor and government officials have responded to the residents' concerns. Mr. Adongo William, Project Manager of Mawums Construction Limited, said the concerns raised by the residents were being considered. Mr. Issah Mohammed Bataglia, Member of Parliament for Sissala East, said the concerns would be brought to the attention of the contractor and assured constituents that their concerns would receive attention.
Key points
- Residents along Ghana's Tumu-Banu highway are calling for bigger bridges to prevent flooding during heavy rains.
- The road is being constructed by Mawums Construction Limited under the Government's Big Push for Infrastructure Development Programme.
- Local leaders and residents have expressed support for the project, but are urging the contractor to address their concerns.
