The Tamale Metropolitan Assembly has begun the installation of street lamps in some communities and principal roads in the northern regional capital to improve the poor lightening system in the city at night. The exercise is being carried out in four communities, namely; Aboabo, Lamashegu, Kalariga and Zogbeli.
THE CUSTODIAN has gathered that a total of four hundred (400) lamps would be installed by engineers of the Metro Assembly in this phase of the exercise.
The Public Relations Officer of the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, Mr. Amadu Mustapha Zakaria, in an exclusive interview said the implementation plan is in phases, adding the ongoing exercise is the first phase which covers the four aforementioned communities and the ceremonial road linking the Northern Regional Coordinating Council.
“So as I speak with you that street lights have been fixed and you will notice significant improvement in the lightening at night. Before this intervention, the canopies of the trees along the stretch created a breeding ground for nefarious activities but with this current intervention the situation will be addressed” he said.
Mr. Amadu Mustapha Zakaria noted the recent reported incidents of robbery and other criminal activities in the metropolis can be partly blamed on the poor lightening system.
“So as an assembly, we earmarked some funds to work on the lightening system against the fact that we’re challenged with resources – and we thought it wise to roll it out in phases. Therefore, we targeted the most vulnerable communities for now and as when funds are made available, we will continue but the public can be rest assured that ultimately every part of the city would be covered” he explained.
Crime combat
The successfully implementation of the exercise mean people will be safe in the night to conduct their social and economic activities. This will assist personnel of the Ghana Police Service to conduct their night duties efficiently and effectively especially those on patrol and checkpoints.
Sustainability
The Public Relations Officer has also appealed to the general public to make conscious effort to protect the streetlights like every other public property.
According to him, part of the reasons the metropolis usually witness blackout is the activities of people erecting unapproved structures on the underground cables. He pointed out that this affects the lifespan of the lighting infrastructure in the area.
He said one damaged streetlight pole can easily affect the rest because the wiring systems are interconnected and therefore the tendency of getting all the others affected is very high.
