The Minister of Roads and Highways and member of Parliament for Atiwa west, Hon. Kwasi Amoako-Atta visited the Doli Bridge site on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, where he assessed the damage caused by a nearby overflown dam.
The Minister in an interview with the press after assessing the situation assured the public that his ministry is actively working to address the significant washout.
He acknowledged that the Doli Bridge washout is one of the largest he has ever witnessed during his tenure in the road sector, emphasising that it is not an invulnerable challenge, adding that though happened in the Savannah Region, but a problem for all and treated as a national Disaster.
He disclosed that his ministry’s engineers have already assessed the situation and are working tirelessly to provide a temporary solution within a week.
The Minister, Amoako – Atta expressed the government’s commitment to ensuring that no part of the country remains cut off and urged the affected residents to be patient while the ministry tackles the issue thoroughly to ensure a long-lasting solution.
He expressed gratitude to the savannah regional Minister, the DCEs for Bole and Sawla, the police, military, NADMO and drivers for being more cooperative.
The temporary bridge construction is scheduled to take a week, while the permanent restoration may require a few more weeks due to the meticulous work involved, the minister added.
To ensure the safety of those affected, the roads minister urged the National Disaster Organization (NADMO) to implement necessary safety measures for the temporary ferrying of people by canoe operators.
Additionally, Ecozoil Limited of the Jospon Group, represented by Zoom Lion, provided 40 life jackets, safety boots, and overall jackets to the canoe operators to enhance safety during this challenging period.
The contractor responsible for repairing the bridge has already started work and determined to meet the specified timelines.
The minister was accompanied by the Savannah regional minister, Regional and District officials of the highway authority, as well as engineers from the Ministry of Roads and Highways during his visit to the affected area.
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Kumatey Gorden/0243531604
