Disgruntled residents of Sirigu-Kandiga in the Kassena-Nankana East have threatened to vote against the ruling National Democratic Congress(NDC) government on November 7, if it fails to complete a portion of the Sirigu-Kandiga road from Azaasi to Paul Amenga-Etogo JHS stretch, before the rains set in.
The nature of the uncompleted road has caused several road accidents, and it also cuts off residents from neighboring communities during the rainy season which affects their livelihoods.
According to the residents, the Sirigu-Kandiga road which was awarded to two contractors in 2011, should have been completed within eight months, but four years on, the road is yet to be completed.
Mr. Abuba Nasona, who was awarded the contract to complete works on the Kandiga junction to Azaasi stretch of the road, only managed to do the first coating whilst Alhaji Mumuni Bolnaba, who doubles as the Upper East Regional Chairman of the NDC, was supposed to complete the road from Azaasi to Amenga-Etogo JHS stretch.
But it is alleged Alhaji Mumuni Bolnaba only heaped gravels on the road and abandoned the project.
Spokesperson of the group, Akulia Prosper at a press conference at Kandiga, described the situation as unfortunate.
He said the bad road network was affecting economic activities in the area and therefore needed to be fixed immediately.
“We demand that government orders the two contractors back to site to complete the work or re-award the contract to a more competent contractor to start work with immediate effect. Government should provide the needed funds for the speedy execution of the project and give deadlines for the completion of the road. We entreat the Feeder roads authority to ensure that, the contractors get to site and they should not do any shoddy work” Akulia stated.
Residents who spoke to Citi News said people have lost their lives on the incomplete Kandiga-Sirigu road with several others injured while pregnant women transported to Health centers on that road get stuck during the rainy season.
They added that, during the farming season, they are unable to transport food produce between Sirigu and Kandiga for sale, which is affecting their livelihood.
The group have thus resolved to vote against the NDC if the road is not fixed before the rainy season.
“We resolve to demonstrate in a month’s time if government does not respond to the issue. We will embark on a massive sensitization of residents within the seven communities of Sirigu-Kandiga to vote against the NDC party that has its regional chairman Alhaji Bolnaba as one of the contractors who has failed to execute the road project”.
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By: Fred Awuni/citifmonline.com/Ghana