President John Dramani Mahama in his 2016 State of the Nation Address mentioned that works are being done on town roads in Tarkwa, Axim and Elubo among others in the Western Region.
On page 34 of his address, the President stated that “in the Western Region, work is being done on the following roads: Kansaworodo By-Pass, 20 km asphalt overlay of selected roads in Sekondi-Takoradi, asphalt overlay of Tarkwa, Axim and Elubo town roads etc.”
However, checks by Citi News showed that what the president said was far from the truth.
The roads in Axim
Citi News found out that the about 1.5km main road from Ayisakro junction to Axim, has been partially rehabilitated. But the quality of work done angered the youth to stage a demonstration. Apart from this road, any other road in the Axim township is completely not tarred.
Some residents who spoke to Citi News expressed their anger over the pronouncements by the President.
“We the people of Axim thank the president for saying he has tarred our roads. In fact, if he says he has asphalted our roads, let him come and commission the road for use. I was extremely furious when I saw the president say on television that he has tarred our roads. I wished I could get the president out of the TV and show him that what he is saying about Axim town roads is not true. Nothing has been done on our roads,” one Taxi driver told Citi News.
Roads in Elubo
At Elubo, Citi News’ checks also revealed that not much has happened just like the situation at Axim.
Apart from the 110km that passes through some parts of the Elubo Township which has been tarred, no road in the town has seen any face-lift.
The town roads are predominantly dusty filled with potholes. The main lorry terminal is also dusty.
Some residents who spoke to Citi News bemoaned the unending dust which has filled their streets.
“What the President said about our town roads is not true. None of the Elubo town roads is tarred. When it rains, the streets become slippery. In the dry season, dust also takes over the streets. In fact, the president lied.”
Tarkwa Town Roads
Roads in Tarkwa have generally developed potholes since the last bitumen surfacing of some roads were done many years back.
Residents there complained to Citi News that despite several complaints to the Municipal Chief Executive, their pleas are yet to be heard. They also noted that no road has been asphalted as the president made it to appear in his address.
The 110km Apimanim-Elubo Road
On the 110km Apimanim-Elubu road, work on that stretch has resumed after the workers suspended work last year.
This segment, which is about 85 percent, financed by the World Bank and the Government of Ghana, was supposed to be completed on 7th April 2015.
It was halted when the 15 percent expected from the government was not forthcoming among other technical issues.
When Citi News visited the project, contractors working on the project had started applying the final wearing coat. They had already applied the final markings on some segment starting from Half Assini Junction to Elubo.
However, works appeared slower when some machines that were brought to complete the project were also lying idle.
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By: Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana