Residents of Sherigu, a community in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region, are ringing alarm bells and threatening more intense action if a contractor does not return to complete the Sherigu-Naaga Road soon.
Unhappy about the worsening state of the 30.1kilometer road, the residents of Sherigu and other adjourning communities including Dorongo addressed a press conference on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at a deteriorated portion of the road seeking to draw the attention of leaders to the stall of work.
The road was awarded 2018 to Araco Construction Limited with work commencing in 2019 and expected to be completed in 18 months.
On the government’s Performance Tracker, the Sherigu-Naaga Road under the Ministry of Roads and Highways has been captured as an ongoing project that is 40% complete.
However, the contractor has vacated the site and despite several assurances, is yet to return to finish up the road.
This has led to serious deterioration along the stretch, leaving residents grappling with an extremely slippery and muddy road when it rains heavily and a dusty road during the dry season.
The stretch has become heavy with traffic following its regular usage by heavy-duty trucks that transport gravel, and solid waste and is a shorter route for those going to Naga and surrounding communities.
Addressing the media on behalf of the residents of the community, Stephen Akugre, who doubles as the Assembly Member for the Sherigu-Kumbelingo Electoral Area, detailed the plight of residents.
While thanking the government for awarding the contract for work to commence, he described the current state of the road as a threat to the lives of regular users since there are frequent accidents and the dusty nature of the road leaves residents battling respiratory related diseases.
“We were told that the road would be completed with bitumen in 24 months—just two years. This assurance gave us hope, and we anticipated that the days of dusty roads, potholes, and transportation difficulties were coming to an end. However, five years have passed, and the hope that once brightened our hearts has dimmed. The contractor, instead of completing the road within the stipulated time, has packed up his equipment and trucks, leaving the project unfinished.”
They further issued a 10-day ultimatum for the contractor, who, according to the residents, has been paid to return to the site. Failure to do, they will embark on a series of activities including demonstrations to press home their demands.
“We are not here to simply complain; we are here to demand action. Today, we call on the government, through the Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, Rex Asanga, the Upper East Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, and the Minister of Roads and Highways, Francis Asenso-Boakye, to immediately intervene in this matter,” he stated.
“We demand that Araco Construction Limited return to the site and complete the Bolgatanga-Sherigu-Naaga road before the end of 2024. We are tired of empty promises and delays, and we believe it is time for the government to hold the contractor accountable for his actions.The people of Sherigu, Naaga, Tanzui, Zorbisi, Sokabisi, and the surrounding communities will not tolerate any further delays. We are giving the government and the contractor a 10-day ultimatum, starting from today, to take decisive action. If ARACO Construction Limited fails to return to the site and resume work within this period, we will have no choice but to organize a mammoth protest against both the contractor and the government.”
