The District Chief Executive for Kumbungu in the northern region has said the number of road infrastructure being done in the district under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is unprecedented.
Mr. Abdul Salam Hamza Fatawu stated the road network in the district before the Akufo-Addo led New Patriotic Party (NPP) government assumed office was in a deplorable and appalling situation.
“I took it upon myself to contact the appropriate authorities for the road sector to be given the needed attention and I have received a positive response”, he stated.
The District Chief Executive said Kumbungu got its first scheme in 1974 and no political authority then till now has made any effort to open up a single kilometre in the district capital.
“I have done it more than even expected, the roads have been opened, access is now all over in the Kumbungu township and the project has been awarded and a contractor is now on site. Then we have Tonjing-Garizegu-UDS Nyankpala link, that one too was in an appalling state but it has been rehabilitated and the people are now using it without any difficulty” he stressed.
Mr. Hamza Fatawu noted one of the numerous projects awarded on contract is the By-water junction to UDS Nyankpala campus road which is about 15.9km.
He said three different contractors are presently on site working day and night to ensure the stretch is put in a very good shape for commuters.
Mr. Salam Hamza Fatawu said another one that is on contract through my effort is the UDS Nyankpala campus to Gbullung stretch which is about 11km and its civil works has also been done leaving the filling and the last part which is the ceiling.
The DCE added lot one of the Kumbungu-Tolon road was also awarded to contract with all concrete works finished and about 80 percent of the stretch tiled now.
He said lot two is also under consideration at the Ministry of Roads and Highway.
“Then we have Lingbinga-Tibungu, Lingbinga-Kuli, Bugling-Tibungu road has been awarded and they are almost done with the concrete works. We have Kochem-gnodua-Gumo road also awarded for rehabilitation and it has been completed.”
Mr. Hamza Fatawu stated the erstwhile NDC regime awarded the Kumbungu-Dalun road but work couldn’t move halfway but, “I came and took it upon myself and funds were released in stages – the primary ceiling has been done, we’re waiting for funds to do the ceil itself so that the road would be completed”.
The Kumbungu district is largely an agrarian community and one of the closest districts to the major markets in Tamale but the poor road network has impeded farmers and major economic activities in the area.
However, Mr. Hamza Fatawu indicated critical culverts have also been fixed to connect several communities that usually is cut off from the rest of the district during the raining season and the inhabitants find it difficult to commute to other parts of the district.
Economic Impact
The DCE argued that roads have much to do with a vibrant economy and once these road networks are completed it would boost businesses and other economic activities and also improve security in the area.
