The Assemblyman for Ward K Electoral Area who doubles as the Presiding Member of the Sagnarigu Municipal Assembly, Hon Abukari Abdul Salim, has said the 4-kilometer road connecting Sagnani/Nyanshegu to Kalpohin has been given to contract.
He disclosed the project has been formally awarded to the Iddal construction company limited and the contractor is expected to move to site very soon.
“I also have sleepless nights because of the deplorable state of the road” he indicated, adding that the people gave me their mandate because they trust and have confidence that I can bring development to the community.
Speaking in exclusive interview, Mr. Salim recounted that in 2020 the project was given to contract for the construction of the gutters but lamented the contractor did not do due diligence.
The assemblyman mentioned the steps he has taken in collaboration with engineers at the urban roads, the Sagnarigu Municipal Chief, Ahmed Yakubu Mohammed and the Tamale North Member of Parliament, Alhassan Suhuyini to get the road fixed.
“When I assumed office, Ward K was not like its peers because we had only one major road [the Dagomba Street] in the area. But we have two more roads constructed now and we have also constructed a major storm drain which used to cause erosion in the area with the support of the World Bank and the government of Ghana” he added.
Residents of the community have bemoaned the impact of the deplorable road on their businesses and safety. Some of them in an earlier interview said their businesses are now folding up because their customers are unable to access the community to transact business with them.
THE CUSTODIAN observed during a visit to the community last Friday, September 1, that several shops and containers on the stretch were closed down by the owners and operators.
Madam Alice, an operator of fashion design shop said she has been working in the area for over 20 years and that business was booming when people could travel on the road.
She however lamented the situation has adversely affected her business in the last the 4 to 5years since the road became unmotorable.
Another business owner, Seidu Sulemana, said the state of the road is very bad to extend that it is difficult for cars and motorbikes to travel on it.
“As soon as the rains set in nobody can use the road and so it is a very bad situation for us; we are therefore appealing to the authorities to come to our aid.”
According to him, revenue collectors from the Sagnarigu municipal assembly used to come around to take taxes from all shop owners along the road, a situation he intimated has stopped because there is nothing for them to collect anymore.
Seidu Sulemana said they have also witnessed a number accidents occurring on road involving motorists using the stretch and several tricycles carrying goods breaking down as well.
Meanwhile, in his response, the Ward K Assemblyman said the situation has affected the revenue inflows of the assembly, adding it is in the best interest of the assembly for the road to be constructed.
Mr. Abukari Abdul Salim further assured his commitment to follow up on the contractor to ensure he move to site for the work to commence as planned.
