The Upper East Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin-Salih, has disclosed that bill quantities are being prepared by the Ghana Highways Authority in the region as the Regional Coordinating Council is seeking approval to fix some broken bridges.
Some of these major bridges have become a center of controversies and demonstrations in the past due to the inability of people in such communities to have access to some parts of the district or region.
Apart from the concern of accessing social service centers like schools, health facilities and market centers, the broken bridges that are in border communities are equally a huge security risk.
Some these bridges include a bridge over the twin Sirigu-Kadare river and the over 30-year-old Navio bridge both in the Kassena Nankana West District.
In February 2023, the former Upper East Regional Minister in the company of the Highways Authority, and other stakeholders visited the site of the broken bridges and revealed that some technical persons were expected from Accra to conduct an assessment of the work to be done, the materials needed and the entire cost.
Despite these assurances that something was going to be done, nothing significant happened leading to the people of Sirigu staging a massive demonstration in August 2023 to press home their demands for the reconstruction of the bridges.
The residents lamented that the broken bridge was affecting access to health facilities, educational, and market centers and demanded its repair.
But interacting with the media in Bolgatanga over the weekend, the Regional Minister noted that bill quantities are being handed over to the Roads and Highways Ministry for consideration and approval.
“The good thing is that we are sourcing funding so that approval is given for these bridges to be constructed”.
He added, “Fortunately, I was able to get the Ghana High Authority to get bill document ready which I will forward to Accra and I will not just forward to Accra and I’ll follow to pursue to get approval from the minister for roads and highways so that we will get those bridges rehabilitated”.
