Alhaji Issahaku Salia, Upper West Regional Minister has noted that only 12.5 per cent (112 kilometres) of road network in the region is tarred as against a total 995 kilometres of trunk roads and 3,247kilometres of feeder roads. He said 1.8 per cent of the roads were in bad condition after experiencing various levels of deterioration. Alhaji Salia made this known when the region took its turn at the "Meet the Press" series held in Wa on Tuesday. He described travelling to some parts of the region especially the Eastern part as "very traumatising". He said government had within the past two years put in significant measures to address the challenges confronting the road sector in the region. Alhaji Salia said currently spot improvement works were being carried out on the Tumu-Gwollu-Hamile, Fian-Wahabu, Wellembelle-Santijan, Wahabu-Funsi-Yaala and Dmwine-Nandom roads. Other roads being worked on are Wa-Bulenga-Yaala, Nandom-Lawra and Lawra-Hans. The Regional Minister said Jirapa-Dowmine, Tumu-Gwollu-Han, Wa-Bulenga as well as Nandom-Lawra-Hamile roads were currently being upgraded. On new projects, Alhaji Salia said tarring of 30 kilometres of the Wa-Han road, 15 kilometres of the Tumu-Sissili road had been awarded on contract while tarring of 30kilometres of the Wa-Bulenga was also in progress. He said approval had been given for the construction of a new steel bridge to replace the collapsed facility along the Domwine-Nandom road and the broken culvert at Jeffisi. Alhaji Salia announced that funding had been approved for the construction of the Ambalaara, Kulung and Sissili bridges which currently posed danger to commuters. Source: GNA