Radio Progress News first radio station in the Upper West Region
Residents of Kparisaga in the Kpongu-Kparisaga Electoral Area of the Wa Municipality in the Upper West Region have appealed to the government to urgently rehabilitate the community’s main road and bridge linking them to Wa, the municipal capital.
The residents say the poor condition of the bridge has become a major challenge, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall, when floodwaters overflow the structure and prevent residents from travelling into or out of the community.
Speaking to Info Radio, a community leader and focal person, Mr Dangdor Pascal, said the road and bridge were constructed in 2007 but had not undergone any major rehabilitation since then.
According to him, the prolonged neglect has left the bridge in a deplorable condition, with its weak structure unable to withstand the pressure of floodwaters during heavy rains.
Mr Pascal said the situation often leaves residents stranded whenever the bridge is overtaken by water.
He added that the poor state of the road has also resulted in gutters within the community becoming choked, preventing rainwater from flowing freely into the nearby stream.
Mr Pascal explained that residents have resorted to communal labour to undertake temporary repairs on the most critical sections of the bridge while waiting for government intervention.
He further disclosed that the Assembly Member for the Kpongu-Kparisaga Electoral Area had contacted the Municipal Assembly over the situation, following which the Municipal Engineer visited the community to assess the bridge.
According to Mr Pascal, the engineer indicated that the entire bridge needed to be replaced because of the high volume and pressure of water passing through the area.
He, however, said no rehabilitation or replacement work had commenced since the assessment.
Meanwhile, another resident and youth leader, Mr Felix Banongle, said the current state of the bridge posed a serious safety concern to residents and other road users.
He appealed to the authorities and other duty bearers to intervene urgently by rehabilitating or replacing the bridge.
Mr Banongle also called for the clearing of choked gutters in the community to enable free flow rain water; adding that, i will help reduce the risk of flooding in the area.
