For many, constructing a road which has never been tarred will bring about joy and great prospects, however, that is not the case for residents along the Soe-Bongo road. Residents along this stretch live under pain and stress because they eat, sleep and inhale dust which emanates from the road.
This condition has made life unbearable for residents here some of who have been forced to vacate their premises and shops in order to stay away from the dust which they say is killing them.
Construction of this road started in July this year when President John Dramani Mahama visited the region for the ‘Accounting to the people tour’. This move brought joy to residents who thought their problems with bad roads had been solved.
Entering the Soe community, one is greeted by an arcade. Wares sold in these shops include groceries, building materials, airtime whereas others run printing press, food court and other businesses. The dust settling on buildings here mars their beauty.
One popular eatery in Soe is Parks and Gardens. With its name, it would have been expected that the environment here will be appealing to whet the appetite of customers. However, that is not the case. Dust have settled on furniture used here and although they are cleaned frequently, the dust that cloud the area as a result of over speeding on the road brings work done here to square one. Owner of the place indicates that apart from driving away customers, the dust has left her sick. She believes that the contractor is not cash strapped but has intentionally decided not to work.
A seamstress in her early twenties indicates that her business has been affected adversely because of this development. She mentions that sowing a white gown is a burden to her because anytime she does, the dress becomes dirty hence driving her customers away and affecting the growth of her business.
Another resident who is a teacher at Awogia JHS mentions that although they have been told that the contractor has been contracted to water the road every day, they do not see him do that. He adds that some shops have had to close their shops and stay at home in order to save themselves from being infected by any disease.
A really devastated motor mechanic mentioned that business has been on the low since the start of the construction of the road. He mentioned that due to the construction, people do not use the road and therefore makes it very difficult for him to get customers like he used to. He added a political twist to his story saying “me they have lost my vote. The contractor is supposed to water the road but he has failed to water the road and that is affecting us. Now because of the road we have to close at six which was not the case formerly.”
Until the contractor in charge of constructing the road, My Turn Construction performs his obligation of watering the road, residents of Soe will continue to suffer the brunt from the neglect of duty by the contractor.
By: Offei-Akoto Ayeh/A1RADIOONLINE.COM/GHANA
