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Residents of Zenu Atadeka in the Kpone Katamanso Constituency are appealing to government for urgent intervention over an abandoned bridge project that has become a major safety threat in the community..
With the Ghana Meteorological Agency warning of heavy rains in the coming months, residents fear the situation could worsen, leaving lives and property at risk.
Azimi has lived in Zenu Attadeka for over ten years. Recounting a recent fall while attempting to cross the bridge she explained that what should have been a simple daily activity has now become a dangerous routine for residents.
“The gutter keeps deteriorating and we keep falling into it hurting ourselves. Those of us who use the bridge to go and sell have our good falling into it. The situation is very serious.”
She further explained that the situation worsens any time it rains which makes movement nearly impossible for her household and neighbors.
“There is no proper drainage system for water to pass through for us. Whenever it rains, our homes get flooded.”
Other residents say they have endured enough.
“This is the only way we can access the other side of the community which has schools and the Polyclinic. It is diificult when someone is sick and we have to go to the health facility. We just want them to help.”
One expectant mother also said, “The more it rains the more the gutter erodes. You can’t walk through unless someone helps you. A pregnant woman like me, sometimes I have to crawl.”
Some also cited several cases of injuries and even loss of life linked to the abandoned structure.
“Recently when it rained, one woman fell into it and hurt herself. There is another man who lives around, he hit his forehead on a rock when he was trying to cross to the other side. Had it not been me the unfortunate could have happened.”
The assembly member of the area, Ibrahim Mohammed acknowledged the challenges, saying efforts are being made to address the situation.
“This bridge you see, it is something that was awarded by the previous government. Initially, we didn’t appreciate the construction. So now we are planning on getting a modern one.”
With the rainy season fast approaching, residents say their safety continues to hang in the balance. They are calling on the member of parliament, for the area, Joseph Akuerteh Tettey to come to their aid.
By Nana Ekuah
Loco tv