The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper East Region has described the deteriorating condition of the Kulaa Bridge section of the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom Road as a public health and safety emergency, accusing the government of failing to address the dangers despite repeated assurances.
According to the party, the prolonged delay in completing the bridge and other outstanding sections of the road continues to expose motorists, passengers and roadside residents to excessive dust, difficult travelling conditions and the risk of accidents.
Addressing a press conference at the Kulaa Bridge, the Upper East Regional Communications Director of the NPP, Dr Samuel Akonga, said the party deliberately chose the location to draw attention to the daily struggles of road users.
“We have gathered here to register our profound displeasure at the state of the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom road, particularly the Kulaa Bridge, where the prolonged delay in completing the outstanding works continues to impose an unacceptable burden on road users,” he stated.
Dr Akonga said commuters, commercial drivers, teachers, nurses, farmers and traders who regularly use the road continue to endure difficult conditions, with passing vehicles generating thick clouds of dust that affect nearby homes and businesses.
“The terrible condition of this stretch is no news to the media or the countless commuters who use it daily. Our hardworking operators, passengers, teachers, nurses, farmers, traders and other commercial transport operators can all bear witness to the difficulties. Every passing vehicle raises clouds of dust that engulf commuters, roadside residents and businesses,” he said.
Beyond the dust pollution, Dr Akonga raised concerns about the safety of road users, suggesting that the poor condition of the stretch had contributed to accidents, injuries and loss of lives.
“Only God knows the number of cherished lives that have been lost and the number of vibrant young people who have suffered injuries on account of the difficult conditions on this road,” he lamented.
He argued that the situation should no longer be treated as a mere inconvenience, given its implications for public safety, economic activities and the wellbeing of communities along the road.
“This situation cannot continue to be treated as an ordinary inconvenience. It is a matter of public safety, economic activity and the dignity of the people who depend on this road,” he added.
Dr Akonga also criticised what he described as repeated assurances from government officials over the resumption of construction works, which he said had not translated into sustained progress.
He referenced assurances attributed to the Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga East, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, that funding had been secured for the project and that the contractor would return to the site.
He also cited reported arrangements for local contractor Araco to undertake works on the old bridge while Queiroz Galvão prepared to resume construction of the new bridge.
“The state of affairs over the past 2 years has been overly regrettable. The hardworking people of the Upper East Region have heard repeated assurances from government officials about the resumption and completion of the remaining works. Yet the situation at critical sections of the road continues to raise serious questions about the substance of those assurances,” he stated.
The NPP is therefore demanding immediate measures to control dust and improve safety around the Kulaa Bridge while the government works towards completing the outstanding sections of the Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulmakom Road.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | David Azure | Bolgatanga
