Commuters bemoan excessive dust pollution on Takoradi-Agona road

By Seth Danquah

Beahu (WR), Jan. 21, GNA – Commuters, and residents along the Takoradi-Agona road in the Western Region are crying out for relief from the excessive dust generated by the ongoing road construction works by Messrs Justmoh Construction.

The situation has become unbearable, with many residents complaining of respiratory problems and other health issues.

They are therefore calling on the authorities, including the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to take immediate steps to address the situation.

According to them, the authorities must ensure that the contractor was held accountable for minimising the environmental impact of the construction works and that the health and well-being of the residents and commuters along the Takoradi-Agona road must be prioritised.

Speaking in an interview with the GNA, they said it was time for the contractor and authorities to take decisive action to mitigate the dust pollution and ensure that the construction work was completed with minimal disruption to the affected communities.

Mrs Gifty Danquah, a resident at TUC Estate Junction said though the contractor had pleaded for patience, more needed to be done to minimise the dust pollution.

She, therefore, called on the contractor to take immediate action to address the concerns of the affected communities by making sure that the road was watered daily, especially during rush hours.

The dust pollution has not only affected residents but also commuters who use the road daily. The situation is a “ticking time bomb, and if not addressed promptly, it could lead to more severe health consequences.”

Mr Alfred Adams, another resident, implored the contractor to implement effective dust suppression measures, such as regular watering of the construction site and using dust-suppressing chemicals if possible.

He tasked the authorities to consider providing alternative routes for commuters to reduce their exposure to dust pollution.

After the inspection of portions of the road, the GNA uncovered that the Asempa International School, a private basic school located about four (4) metres away from the road at Beahu was the worst affected.

GNA