Member of Parliament for Adenta, Yaw Buaben Asamoah has said Government’s plans are well advanced to ensure the future deaths on the Adenta-Madina stretch are prevented
According to the Member of Parliament, he is unhappy over the highway carnage happening in his constituency.
He said, he is not happy and is deeply sad and worried about families who have lost their loved ones on the road.
Mr. Buabeng Asamoah who is also the Communications Director for the NPP revealed that over 18 deaths were recorded over the weekend in the Central region, East Region and on the Madina and Adenta road stretch.
He was, however, unable to state the exact number of people who have died in his constituency although he admits “several people have died” crossing the Adenta-Madina highway due to the lack of the footbridge.
Speaking in an interview on Citi TV’s Face to Face, Mr. Yaw Buabeng Asamoah said he is as frustrated as residents of Madina and Adenta over the neglect of the uncompleted footbridges.
“Let me acknowledge that people are dying but let me also acknowledge and this week alone we have recorded over 18 deaths between a very short period several people have died on the Adenta highway and I am not too sure about the numbers but no death is acceptable.”
“I am not a happy man.. I am deeply sad and I am worried about families who have lost relatives, We are in the process of doing that. As we stand now, I want to sure that we are deeply sympathetic and the Government will not allow this issue to continue.”
Who is to blame ?
Mr. Buabeng Asamoah refused to absolve himself of the blame for the recent deaths on the road.
“The people are frustrated and somebody must be blamed, I am pointing myself, I am in a convenient situation to be blamed because I am the MP, so it is the necessary duty of the Government of which I’m a part to ensure we solve that problem comprehensively once and for all.”
He commended the decision by the residents to go on a peaceful demonstration adding that he is in support of the decision.
He explained that the decision by residents of Madina and Adenta is a democratic right to bring to the notice of Government matters that concern citizens.
He, however, cautioned the organizers to ensure the protest does not turn violent.
“I am aware of the protest and I think they should, It is a democratic right to bring notice to matters that concern citizens. It is a community action, I commend the leadership and I hope it does not get violent, for me that is the bottom line. Marching to demonstrate your concern is the best way to express citizen frustration over Government action and inaction. The Government has taken notice because I am aware.”
The contractor for Madina-Adenta footbridges to resume work in 3 months – Boniface
Residents living around Adenta-Madina highway will have to wait for at least three or four more months for the completion of footbridges on the stretch.
According to the Member of Parliament for Madina, Alhaji Boniface Saddiq Abubakar, the Ministry of Roads and Highways is in talks with the contractor of the Madina-Adenta highway to return to the site to complete construction of the footbridges.
Residents who have been protesting the lack of footbridges on the road say they will embark on a demonstration next week over the unavailability of footbridges on the highway.
Two people have been knocked down on the stretch in the last two days, a situation which has angered the residents, who say over 190 lives have been lost in the past year.
But speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show yesterday [Tuesday 6th November 2018], Saddiq Abubakar said the contractor will return to the site following the payment of arrears owed him.
Angry Residents block Adentan road after woman’s death in a hit-and-run
Over the weekend, there was chaos on the Adentan-Oyarifa road on Friday evening as some residents of Adentan Barrier staged a demonstration to demand the construction of footbridges on the road.
The protest was sparked after a resident was killed in a hit-and-run incident that same evening.
According to eyewitnesses, a car knocked down Lelian Akrofi and sped off.
A speeding taxi then ran over her body shortly after.
Nine soldiers from the patrol team in charge of Madina-Adentan were deployed to restore calm in the area.
But after they left, the angry residents re-mobilized and placed tyres, gallons and cement blocks on the road.
According to them, such deaths have become a common occurrence due to the absence of footbridges.
One of the residents, Samuel Oklu, complained to Citi News saying, “we wrote a letter to our assembly, people we know who can help, but till now, they have not tried to help us. Almost every month, people are dying here. We need flyovers here.”
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By: Jude Mensa Duncan | CitiNewsroom.com | Ghana | Duncanmensa@gmail.com