The closure of the Yapei and Buipe bridges in the Central Gonja district has caused a shortage of cement which has resulted in an increase in the price of the product in the Northern Regional capital, Tamale.
This situation has compelled building contractors and private developers to purchase cement at increased rates of Ghc34 and Ghc35 per bag.
[contextly_sidebar id=”YQBjUNTaBIrjTXB5HHi3Fpv5VNUBmSWp”]Previously, a bag of Diamond cement was sold at Ghc31 whilst that of Dangote was Ghc32 cedis.
As a result of the temporary closure of the Yapei/Buipe bridges linking Ghana to the Sahel, Savannah Cement (SAVACEM), manufacturers of Diamond cement at Buipe have halted production which has led to the shortage and price hikes.
Dangote cement is now being transported through the Eastern Corridor road to Tamale, with the added effort being factored into the overall cost.
The most affected major cement retailers include Aspet A, ASuhudoo enterprise at Gurugu, Alkayum at Jisonayili, Wuntumah enterprise at Kanvili, Raykab enterprise at Lamashegu and Shukura enterprise at Zujung.
The last time shortage and increment of cement prices occurred as reported by Citi News was on July 7, 2014 which was nationwide.
Yapei/Buipe bridges closure
The Ghana Highways Authority (GHA) upon the directive of the Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako from Monday, November 20, 2017, temporarily Yapei and the Buipe and bridges.
According to the sector minister, the dilapidated bridges required major rehabilitation to avert any major disaster.
The Highways Authority in September 2017 set load limits for vehicles using the said bridges on the Kintampo-Tamale trunk road to save the bridges from further deterioration.
Only vehicles weighing 20 tons were allowed to cross the bridge. The statement however gave the following alternative routes to be used by drivers, while the bridges remain closed:
WESTERN CORRIDOR: Accra – Kumasi – Techiman – Wenchi – Bamboi – Bole – Wa
EASTERN CORRIDOR: Accra – Tema – Hohoe – Jasikan – Nkwanta – Oti Damanko – Bimbila – Yendi
CENTRAL CORRIDOR: Accra – Kumasi – Mampong – Ejura – Atebubu – Yeji (Ferry Crossing) – Salaga
OR
Kintampo – Techiman – Nkoranza – Ejura – Atebubu – Yeji (Ferry Crossing) – Salaga
WESTERN/CENTRAL CORRIDOR: Tarkoradi – Tarkwa – Bogosu – Ayamfuri – Dunkwa – Obuasi – Kumasi – Techiman – Wenchi – Bamboi – Bole – Wa.
Reports indicate that, the Yapei bridge was constructed some 53 years ago, and has received only minor maintenance works since then .
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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Gha