Reconstruction of the collapsed bridge on Koforidua to Nyamekrom road in Eastern Regional Capital has commenced
The bridge has been awarded to contract under the certificate of urgency by the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
According to government sources, the bridge will be completed within six (6) weeks.
Meanwhile, the Department of Feeder Roads has started a feasibility study to construct an alternate route for residents of Nyamekrom, a suburb of New Juaben South Municipality which has been cut off by floods.
The new route will be created through the Daasebre Estate area to join the Densuano road.
Nyamekrom a suburb of New Juaben South Municipality in the Eastern Region hit by a devastating flood is struggling to resiliently restore economic activity.
River Kwakwanua overflowed its bank after a heavy downpour on Friday, October 22, 2021, collapsed and washed away a culvert and portion of the road cutting off the entire community.
Many residents including workers and school children have been stranded since Friday as cars could not cross the road neither resident could cross by foot.
In other to restore normalcy, residents on Sunday mobilized to construct a wooden footbridge to aide crossing by students, teachers, nurses, workers, and traders from Monday.
According to Assembly Member Enock Boahene, the flood situation is a threat to lives and properties hence needs urgent Central government intervention.
He said the floods submerged about 30 homes and caused damage to many household properties.
Some residents who were trapped were rescued to safety hence no casualty was recorded.
The youth of Nyamekrom are seething with anger out of frustration.
They have threatened to embark on a massive demonstration to demand development in the area.
Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia cut sod on October 27, 2020, for the construction of the 10.1 kilometres Koforidua-Nyamekrom-Supiriso Road in the New Juaben South Municipality of the Eastern Region.
But work has been at a snail pace.
Residents believe, if the bridge is reconstructed and widened as part of the road project, and the river dredged the flood situation will be mitigated.
Many parts of New Juaben South Municipality continue to experience flooding whenever it rains despite a Ghc16 million cedis Nsukwao Basin Drainage facility recently constructed to mitigate the impact of the flood.
But due to shoddy work, the drainage has not served its purpose.
A ten (10) year old class three pupil carried away by the floodwaters on Tuesday is yet to be found.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
