By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Chuchuliga (U/E), July 29, GNA – Residents of Chuchuliga in the Builsa North Municipality have commissioned a newly rebuilt culvert, restoring safe access to farms, schools, and businesses after the old structure became a death trap.
The culvert, which was in dilapidated condition for more than two years, was rebuilt through a self-help initiative spearheaded by the Chuchuliga Support Group, a local development-oriented group with funding from personal contributions by members, donations from sons and daughters of the area, and benevolent members of the public.
The culvert serves as a vital link between the Chondema, Awulansa, Adabeesa, Azug-Yeri, and Namonsa communities to the Chuchuliga market and other parts of the municipality.
Speaking at the commissioning, Dr Joshua Akuu, the Organizer of the group, and a concerned citizen, described the completion of the project as a landmark achievement for the group.
“We are highly excited that we have lived to see this day. The culvert was in a dilapidated state, very risky and dangerous. It was like a death trap. We are happy that this development support group has been able to initiate and successfully complete this project,” he said.
Dr Akuu noted that although the group had undertaken other community projects in the past, the culvert reconstruction stood out as its most significant accomplishment.
He said the culvert linked several rice-growing communities and enabled farmers to transport produce to the Chuchuliga and Sandema markets.
Mr Thompson Akpebawia Ayaba, the Assembly Member for the Chuchuliga Azug-Yire Electoral Area, said prior to the construction, efforts to get the Municipal Assembly to fix the dilapidated culvert yielded no results for the past two years until the youth mobilized and fixed it.
“The culvert had been broken for over two years and could not be fixed by the Assembly or any other stakeholder. We appreciate and thank the youth group for this initiative,” he said.
Mr Jonathan Asangalisa, in remarks on behalf of Nab Francis Akanbegme Asangalisa II, the Chief of Chuchuliga, commended the youth for demonstrating community spirit and encouraged them to continue undertaking development initiatives.
“This initiative by the youth is commendable. It is worth commending them because this self-help project shows a good spirit, and with what they have done, I want to encourage them to undertake other projects,” the chief’s representative said.
He noted that the prior to the construction, the collapsed culvert disrupted farming, education and transportation systems in the area.
“The rice farms are located across the river and all the farm produce pass through this culvert. Because it was down, it affected commercial and other activities. Children could not access school through this culvert, and vehicles transporting goods from the farmlands could not use it,” he said.
Residents expressed optimism that the reconstructed culvert would improve access to farms, facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce, revive trading activities and restore safe movement for schoolchildren and commuters.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/George-Ramsey Benamba
Reporter: Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Email: [email protected]