The Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Akamugri Donatus Atanga, has assured residents of the Kongo community in the Tempane District that government will take immediate steps to restore access following the collapse of the Kongo Bridge.
The minister gave the assurance during an inspection tour of the damaged bridge on Monday, accompanied by the Tempane District Chief Executive and engineers from the Department of Feeder Roads.
The collapse of the bridge has cut off Kongo from the rest of the district, disrupting the movement of people, goods and services while making access to essential social services increasingly difficult.
Addressing residents at the site, Hon. Atanga said President John Dramani Mahama had directed him to assess the extent of the damage and reassure the community of government’s commitment to resolving the situation without delay.
“As an immediate intervention, the Department of Feeder Roads will construct a diversion to restore movement while arrangements are made for a permanent solution,” the minister said.
He noted that the bridge was originally constructed during the administration of former President Jerry John Rawlings and was later rehabilitated during President Mahama’s first term in office.
Hon. Atanga reiterated President Mahama’s commitment to ensuring that the damaged bridge is restored, stressing that government understands the hardship the collapse has imposed on residents and remains determined to reconnect the community to the rest of the district as quickly as possible.
Engineers from the Department of Feeder Roads are expected to begin work on the temporary diversion to ease transportation challenges while plans for the permanent reconstruction of the bridge are finalised.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
