Nandom Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) Anthony Ziniel has rejected claims that roads in the municipality have been neglected, insisting that ongoing pothole-filling works demonstrate efforts to address their deteriorating condition.
Describing claims that nothing was being done about the roads as “palpably false”, Mr Ziniel said contractors were filling potholes and had reached the Nandom township roundabout, with work expected to continue towards the Nandom Senior High School road and Kambaa.
“The road is being worked on. They are filling the potholes and are currently at the Nandom roundabout. If you ask anybody in town, they will testify that they are working on the road,” he said in an interview with Kumasimail.
His comments follow an announcement by the Nandom Municipal Assembly on September 28, 2026, confirming the commencement of pothole-filling works on some major roads in the municipality as part of efforts to improve road conditions, enhance safety and ease the movement of people and goods.
The Assembly said the exercise was intended to address the deteriorating condition of the roads, reduce road accidents and minimise vehicle breakdowns and damage caused by potholes.
It explained that chippings mixed with bitumen were being used to fill and reinforce affected sections, adding that the method was expected to produce a stronger and more durable surface capable of withstanding vehicular traffic and weather conditions.
The Assembly also pledged to monitor the works to ensure that quality standards were maintained.
Mr Ziniel confirmed that the exercise was still ongoing, explaining that the contractor started from the Municipal Assembly office and had progressed to the roundabout.
He said the work would continue towards the Nandom Senior High School road and Kambaa, although he could not immediately provide the total distance covered by the contractor.
Kambaa Bridge awaits attention
Beyond the ongoing pothole repairs, the MCE acknowledged concerns surrounding the Kambaa Bridge, where previous reconstruction works remain incomplete.
He said he had followed up on the matter through discussions with Ghanem Constructions Limited, the contractor, and officials of the Ghana Highways Authority.
According to him, the contractor explained that the Authority had stopped work after issues arose with the section that was supposed to be asphalted.
Mr Ziniel said the Upper West Regional Director of the Highways Authority had subsequently informed him that the road was being prepared for handover to a contractor under the government’s Big Push infrastructure programme.
He expressed hope that the outstanding problem with the bridge would be addressed as part of the broader road project.
“When the contractor gets to that place, it means that the contractor will be forced to fix that problem,” he said.
However, he did not provide a timeline for the completion of the outstanding works on the bridge.
Nandom-Hamile-Baselbe road expected under Big Push
Mr Ziniel also expressed confidence that the Nandom-Hamile-Baselbe road would be included in the second phase of the Big Push programme, although formal confirmation of its inclusion was not available at the time of the interview.
He said discussions were progressing and that President John Mahama had previously asked stakeholders to exercise patience while the government settled outstanding payments on projects already awarded.
According to the MCE, the government wanted to meet its existing financial obligations before awarding additional contracts.
“Those discussions are still on course. The second phase of the Big Push, it will be part of it. Plans are far advanced with that,” he said.
He added that the government was also considering the road linking Ko-Zimuopare and Nandom from the Jirapa side, expressing hope that both routes would be included in the programme.
“If we are lucky, the two of them will be captured at the same time, and they will work on the two for us,” he said.
The proposed projects could provide a broader intervention in addressing road infrastructure concerns in the municipality, but their inclusion remains subject to official confirmation.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
