Audio By Carbonatix
At least five persons have died in crashes on the deteriorating Sogakope Bridge that spans the lower part of the Volta River.
District Chief Executive (DCE) for South Tongu, Emmanuel Louise Agamah, says the bridge is now a death trap and needs urgent repairs to save lives.
"This bridge is an important link in the Abijan - Lagos Corridor Road but it is detoriated now. The expansions have deteriorated. There are pot holes on the bridge and whenever drivers and motorists try to dodge the potholes, they crash in the process leading to numerous deaths.”
Even this year, five people have lost their lives while serveral others have sustained injuries on the bridge. The residents are angry and want to demonstrate but we usually have to calm tempers down. I have sent letters on several occasions to Ghana Highways Authority and I have ask questions on when this bridge will be repaired but to no avail," Mr. Agamah told the Ghana News Agency
Mr. Amadu Kormpalla, Station Master, Sogakorpe Lorry Station, who was a worker during the construction of the bridge, said: "The rods on which the bridge is resting, are very tinny and if you take a careful look, you could see that they have all rusted and look very weak.
“See, this bridge will kill about thousands of people one day before authorities will take any action," he lamented.
Community members, drivers and motorists were afraid the bridge would give way and cause a lot of deaths because part of the 650-meter bridge shook even when motorbikes passed on it yet heavy trucks are allowed to use it.
"We have only been praying that God will protect us throughout the day because this is what we do for a living. We tried to demonstrated [about it] but the DCE calmed us assuring us that it will be done in Easter and till date, no sign of even the contractor, " Sammy, a driver, stressed.
Even this year, five people have lost their lives while serveral others have sustained injuries on the bridge. The residents are angry and want to demonstrate but we usually have to calm tempers down. I have sent letters on several occasions to Ghana Highways Authority and I have ask questions on when this bridge will be repaired but to no avail," Mr. Agamah told the Ghana News Agency
Mr. Amadu Kormpalla, Station Master, Sogakorpe Lorry Station, who was a worker during the construction of the bridge, said: "The rods on which the bridge is resting, are very tinny and if you take a careful look, you could see that they have all rusted and look very weak.
“See, this bridge will kill about thousands of people one day before authorities will take any action," he lamented.
Community members, drivers and motorists were afraid the bridge would give way and cause a lot of deaths because part of the 650-meter bridge shook even when motorbikes passed on it yet heavy trucks are allowed to use it.
"We have only been praying that God will protect us throughout the day because this is what we do for a living. We tried to demonstrated [about it] but the DCE calmed us assuring us that it will be done in Easter and till date, no sign of even the contractor, " Sammy, a driver, stressed.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Hundreds of captives freed from Boko Haram mountain hideout
1 minute -
I was applying for hundreds of jobs – this tip helped me get one
6 minutes -
‘No Ghanaian has been abandoned’ – Ablakwa on evacuation from South Africa
25 minutes -
MoMo vendor killed in armed robbery attack at Dominase Onion Market, another critically injured
36 minutes -
Meet Seth Quaye Mensah: The fashion designer whose ‘Dress Well to School’ initiative is giving schoolchildren confidence
39 minutes -
Zelensky criticises ‘vile’ Chornobyl drone strike ahead of London talks
44 minutes -
Photo Story: Vice President visits North Industrial building collapse site
2 hours -
Vice President calls for strict compliance with rules after North Industrial building collapse
2 hours -
Ibrahim Mahama has offered 100 jobs to Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa – Ablakwa
2 hours -
Our priority is to rescue victims – Linda Ocloo on North Industrial Area building collapse
3 hours -
One confirmed dead in building collapse at North Industrial Area
3 hours -
Is Ashanti Region being punished? – Minority raises political bias concerns over delayed hospital operations
3 hours -
Nurses join KATH strike as pressure builds on Health Minister to reverse CEO suspension
3 hours -
Call off strike immediately – NLC orders KATH doctors
3 hours -
Reinstate KATH CEO now – Minority caucus blasts suspension as political scapegoating
4 hours