Residents, commuters and motorists in and around Peduase, Aburi and other surrounding areas have expressed worry over the deplorable state of the Kitase-Berekuso road.
This stretch of road is expected to serve as an alternative to the Peduase Lodge to Ayi Mensah portions of the Accra-Aburi road which has been closed for repair works on the scarp along its south-bound” lane.
The Ghana Highways Authority announced the closure of the “south-bound” lane of the Peduase Lodge to Ayi Mensah road starting today [Wednesday for the next five months.
As an alternative, the authority has suggested that motorists use the Kitase-Berekuso road but the motorists are not happy.
According to a taxi driver, Richmond Ntow, who plies the Peduase to Madina stretch, “though the closure of the Peduase Lodge-Ayi Mensah for repairs is a lifesaving move, the Kitase-Berekuso road which is suggested as an alternative is terrible.
According to him, “the contractor has left many uncompleted bridges abandoned on the road [Kitase-Berekuso], the road is just terrible.”
Another driver, Eric laments that will also be using this route is worried about the possible increment in the transport fares.
Eric stated that “my main worry is that, the closure of the road will lead to drivers increasing the fares if they have to use the Berekuso road to Accra.”
He stated further that, “The last time this road was closed for a similar repair where drivers had to use the Berekuso route instead, they increased the fares, the Madina bound ones especially.
They refused to reduce it even when the road was reopened and when there was a general increment they increased it again.”
Aside the increment in transportation fares and the bad state of the road, a fruit and vegetable seller, Korkor, said she is alarmed by a possible robbery attack.
“When it rains, it’s almost impassable. The other worry is that, there are robbers on that Brekusu to Accra stretch and most times we begin our journey around 2 a.m. so it’s dangerous,” she lamented.
This will be the second time that portion of the Aburi Road has been closed for repairs. It was closed earlier this year in January.
Some experts have revealed that they believe the construction of houses on top of the mountain can be blamed for the deterioration of the scarp.
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By: Kwame Botchway/citifmonline.com/Ghana