By Jones Anlimah
Residents in parts of the Volta and Oti Regions are appealing for the speedy and durable rehabilitation of roads damaged by a recent downpour along the River Dayi corridor, following disruptions to transportation, farming and other economic activities.
The affected routes include New Baika–Hohoe, New Ayoma–Kute and Dzolu–Likpe Bala, which connect communities and facilitate the movement of people and agricultural produce.
Although authorities have provided alternative routes and commenced work on some of the affected stretches, residents say the repairs must be completed promptly and to the required standards to prevent a recurrence of the disruption during future downpours.
The Member of Parliament for Buem and Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, accompanied by the Jasikan Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Parke Davis Magyigbe, has visited some of the affected communities to assess the damage and interact with residents.
At Dzolu, the Gyaasehene, Nana Tebulebu Omandzi, said residents had mobilised communal labour to construct a makeshift bridge to restore access between their homes, farms and neighbouring communities.
He said the temporary structure was necessary to help farmers reach their farms and transport their produce despite the destruction of the existing crossing.
“So, for now, this is what we are using,” Nana Omandzi said, describing the community-built structure as a temporary measure.
He acknowledged the risks associated with the structure but said it was serving an immediate purpose while residents awaited a permanent solution.
Nana Omandzi said the community had received assurances from the MP and the Municipal Chief Executive that the damaged crossing would be reconstructed.
He appealed to the authorities to expedite the process and replace the makeshift structure with a modern bridge that would provide a safe and reliable link to farms and neighbouring communities.
At New Ayoma, the Overlord, Nana Udiene Manetey, welcomed the response by the authorities, particularly the provision of a bypass to facilitate vehicular movement following the damage.
However, he stressed the need for the bridge reconstruction to meet the required standards and withstand the demands of regular traffic.
“We are appealing to them to ensure that the bridge is well constructed so that any type of vehicle or machinery can pass here,” Nana Manetey said.
He described the condition of the roads in the area as very bad and appealed for improved road infrastructure to serve communities across the catchment area.
Nana Manetey also called for the rehabilitation of the New Baika–New Ayoma–Kute route and other connecting roads, saying reliable road networks were essential to the area’s economic activities.
Responding to concerns about the damaged roads, Mr Kofi Adams said contractors had been mobilised to address the immediate problems, with work already underway on some sections.
He said the government had acted swiftly following the incident and that the relevant road authorities had been directed to intervene.
Mr Adams explained that the available contractors were being deployed to tackle the affected routes in phases, given the scale of the work involved.
“We cannot do all the roads at the same time. That is not possible,” he said, adding that the roads would be addressed progressively.
“We will pick them step by step, and every road will be attended to,” he assured residents.
The MP said the government had assessed the affected roads and acknowledged residents’ concerns, but the interventions would have to be undertaken in stages.
The damage has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of road infrastructure in communities where heavy rainfall can disrupt access to farms, markets and essential services.
For residents of Dzolu, New Ayoma and surrounding communities, the immediate priority is to restore safe and reliable passage while ensuring that the permanent repairs are strong enough to withstand future downpours.
They are therefore urging the government, the relevant road authorities and contractors to maintain the pace of work and deliver durable infrastructure that will support transportation, agriculture and economic development.
