Tarkwa-Bogoso road DEATH TRAP!

STORY: FROM SETH AMEYAW DANQUAH, TARKWA, W/R

Pedestrians and drivers plying the Tarkwa-Bogoso-Ayamfuri road in the Western Region are raising serious concerns about delays on the progress of work on the deplorable road, which condition now makes it a death trap.

Numerous potholes that have developed on the road are slowly metamorphosing into grave-pits and flooding is a common phenomenon on the road anytime it rains, and since the region is in a typical tropical forest zone it rains all-year round.

Indeed, “the potholes on this road have now metamorphosed into manholes…and the least said of the flooding nature of the road the better, we therefore find it very difficult to use this road,” a driver complained.

Today can confirm that since sod was cut for the commencement of work on the 94 kilometre stretch of road seven months ago, the contractor has mobilized machinery and equipment to the site, but thus far there has been no other activity there.

Meanwhile, reports say national administration has secured from the European Union (EU) funding for the road project, which Roads and Highways sources estimate will cost $70 million.

The precarious nature of the road has compelled many road users, especially commercial drivers, to resort to charging very higher and outrageous fares, a situation which often results in brawls between conductors and passengers.

According to Today sources, taxi drivers, plying the road from Bogoso to Wassa-Akropong now charge a high fare of GH¢4.00 instead of the prescribed fare of GH¢2.00, and they point to the bad nature of the road as the reason.

According to a truck driver, Ben Kwarteng, they are sometimes forced to charge the exorbitant fares and indulge in over-loading in order to generate more funds to be able to maintain their vehicles, which break down frequently owing to the bad nature of the road.

“Not only are the fares exorbitant, but it is also very difficult for a person going on a trip to get a vehicle to board in the area after 9:00 P.M., because the drivers claim it dangerous to use the road [in the darkness] at night,” lamented a resident who spoke to Today.

“It is not uncommon to see haulage trucks getting stuck in the numerous ditches, which have become traps for long vehicles carrying cocoa and timber,” added another resident in the area.

Today further gathered that the very nature of the road has encouraged the delay in the transportation of cash commodities from the hinterlands to the various harbours for shipment.

Cocoa, foodstuff and mineral resources from the northern part of the region, which are carted along this stretch of the road, take double the regular time to get to their destinations in the southern territories.

The bad nature of the road and the problems it causes for vehicular movement also seems to encourage criminal activity as the vermin take advantage of it and continuously harass motorists and passengers who ply that section of the road.

According to a resident, “It is not an uncommon scene to see vehicles robbed on this road… Armed robbers are just worrying us.”

The bad nature of the road, coupled with the unrelenting attacks suffered at the hands of armed robbers, has forced drivers in the area to resolve not to take part in the 2012 elections.

The residents assert that national administration denies them their share of the national cake.

“Despite the fact that the resources that earn Ghana most foreign exchange comes along this Tarkwa-Bogoso-Ayamfuri road to reach the ports for export, we the people of the area can’t boast of development projects, such as healthcare systems, available electricity and good road networks,” another resident lamented.

Ben Kwarteng pleaded with national administration to – as a matter of urgency – ascertain why work on the road is delayed, and take steps to ensure it starts soon for speedy execution of the project.

A source at the Western Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) who spoke to Today said, the threat issued by the drivers and pleas from drivers and pedestrians compelled the District Assemblies to refill and resurface portions of the road to ease up the uneven nature of the road.

The source however added that they later issued a warning to the various District Chief Executives (DCEs) whose districts fall within the catchment of the road to stop forthwith all such maintenance works on the road pending the commencement of the actual work.

When contacted, the Western Region Minister, Paul Evans Aidoo, admitted to the delay in the execution of the project and disclosed that Roads and Highways is yet to pay compensation to those whose lands and properties have been affected, and once that happens the contractor will begin work in earnest.

The minister acknowledged the inconveniencies to motorists, commercial drivers and residents along the Tarkwa-Bogoso-Ayamfuri road, and called on drivers to be patient with passengers and drive carefully to forestall mishaps on the road.