Drivers who ply between the Volta and Eastern regions are sharply in disagreement with the District Chief Executive of Asuogyaman over the safety of the Adomi Bridge. DCE Ntow Bediako is assuring all drivers and passengers who ply the road that a fault that appears to be scaring them from using it is not as serious as being portrayed and that efforts were underway to get it fixed The fault is not visible from even close range, however a walk over the decades-old-without-maintenance Adomi Bridge sends fear into the spine. Those who frequent the bridge, especially commercial drivers, say it is a big risk they take each time they haul passengers across it. Their anxiety was visibly as some passengers screamed from their vehicles “please tell the big men to do something about this before it is too late, I wish they drive on this bridge. A terrified driver wished there was an alternative route; “I wish there was another way I can use, you can feel it as if you are descending from a speed ramp.” At the entrance of the Adomi Bridge is a bold plaque with Dr. Nkrumah’s inscription as having commissioned the bridge together with Sir Charles Noble Arden Clark on January 25, 1957. The bridge was built by Norman Long Bridge Engineers Limited and Halcrow & Partners. With a capacity of 880tons, a width carriageway of 22feet and clear span of 802feet the bridge was constructed strong enough to withstand even an earthquake. It is for this reason that DCE Ntow Bediako, in whose district lies the famous bridge over the Volta River has assured all drivers and passengers who ply the road not to kill themselves with fright. He said “the vibration that one feels when driving has always been there, people are only playing it up because of the fault which has been identified.” “The assembly is aware and working with officers of the Ghana Highway Authority, they will even be here next week to start work” the DCE assured. According to him, the immediate measure being implemented is to allow heavy tonnage trucks which load Clinker to Togo, to drive over the bridge one at a time. A private company, Enterprise Investment Limited which collects the toll says it is not responsible for the repair works and has submitted a report to the Road fund through the highways office. A supervisor, Ms. Joyce Mensah says they have been strictly regulating the movement of the heavy duty trucks to ensure that undue pressure is not exerted on the bridge. Some passengers who were visibly shaken by the knowledge that there is a crack in the bridge blamed the problem on the highways for the lack of maintenance work on the bridge. “I have not seen any one working on the bridge since I started working here” one driver said. Another one Enoch Teye said “I wish the ministers use this road, Madam, you can feel it, ehh! You really feel it. I saw this three weeks ago and we told our G.P.R.T.U officers to inform the assembly but we have heard nothing.” The bridge remains the only access for travellers from Akuse, Tema, and Accra to the Volta and the Northern regions and any damage to the bridge will pose a major economic threat to the nation. A visit to the district NADMO office which had earlier indicated its readiness to manage any disaster which may occur showed nothing at all. When Adom News got there only three shovels were spotted in an almost empty office with two employees while the coordinator Sviour Serwor was said to be out of town. Credit: Afia Pokuaa, Adom FM