Iyke: Parts of Garu cut off due to severe flooding

11-09-2012

The Basyonde-Kongo stretch of road becoming a 'Death Trap"

Another stretch of road that needs attention

Mr Woyongo and his entourage

Narration: Most communities in the Garu District of the Upper East Region, especially Gagbiri and Kugrago have been cut off due to severe flooding. The latest phenomenon has worsened the already deplorable road network endangering the lives of people and motorists that ply the road. Radio Ghana’s visit to some affected areas identified stretch of road networks being washed away by the floods, a situation sources say was as a result of the recent heavy downpour that hit parts of the region. Moreover a great number of schools have collapsed, whilst large tracks of farmlands have also been submerged as a result of the flood. Correspondent Isaac Asare has sent this report for Radio Ghana.

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Regional Director Roads and Highways, Victor Owusu briefing Mr Woyongo

Report

The District Chief Executive, David Adakudugu told Radio Ghana that about 15 electoral areas including Zamballa, Bugri, Kongo, Tariganga and Akara had been cut off making life unbearable for the people. The situation, he said, gives a cause to worry as farmers in the affected communities face the challenge of carting their produce to the available market centers. Other businesses, he indicated, have been retarded with people not getting access to Garu Township to transact businesses. According to him crops have been washed away due to the long stay of the flood. Mr. Adakudugu underscored the urgent need for appropriate intervention since affected communities are already deprived with majority living in abject poverty. He noted that affected communities including Wimpiesi and Basyonde among other catchment communities make up the Dagbiri market which is said to be one of the biggest markets in the district hence the need for adequate and prompt intervention to salvage the road from total collapse. Mr Adakudugu appealed to government through authorities of the feeder road to expedite immediate action on the stretch of road linking Basyonde and Kongo to prevent the road from further collapse. A visit by a team of officials led by the Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo confirmed the extent of damage caused by the floods. He was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of SADA, Mr. Gilbert Iddi as well as officials of the Department of Feeder roads and the Ghana Highway authority. Mr Woyongo and his entourage toured the worst affected areas and called for immediate rehabilitation work on the affected roads. He said government will collaborate with SADA to institute emergency response to salvage the situation and called on the CEO to help mobilize the needed funds for commence of work on the roads. For his part, the CEO of SADA, Mr. Iddi promised to forward the concerns of the people for urgent action to be taken, adding that he has mandate of the board of SADA to witness and assess the impact of the flood. According to him SADA is poised to alleviate the plight and suffering of the people and pledged to assist in providing possible remedies to address the situation. SADA he further said will seek the support of development partners since government expenditure is sometimes overstretched. The Regional Director of the Department of Feeder Roads, Samuel Banini said Basyonde-Kongo road has not seen any major rehabilitation since 1996 and echoed the need for prompt action to be taken. He recommended the need for more culverts to be put in place. He said subject to the availability of funds an immediate rehabilitation work will begin. Proposed rehabilitation work on the 12 km stretch of road is estimated to cost 2 million Ghana cedis.