Kpando (V/R), Nov. 13, GNA – Scores of residents from the Kpando Torkor, Dzigbe and Avetikorpe in the Kpando Municipality of the Volta Region, have taken to the streets to demonstrate against the bad road network.
The demonstrators, clad in black and red outfits with red wrist and headbands, began the five-kilometre walk from Kpando Torkor and converged at the premises of the Kpando Municipal Assembly.
They held placards with inscriptions such as “we are just demanding our fair share of the national cake,” “Volta also deserves development,” “Rest in peace to all gone souls, #Fixourroads ”, “Explore the tourism potential of Kpando Torkor.”
Dr Divine Akwensivie, the Convener, read a petition on behalf of the chiefs and close to thousand “Torkor Youths for Development” demonstrators.
He said the importance of infrastructure in the development of any economy could not be overemphasized, adding that “in a third world economy like ours where road transportation is the main means of transport, the availability of road infrastructure takes on added importance.”
Dr Akwensivie noted that their petition focused on the deplorable state of the four-kilometre Kpando to Torkor road, three-kilometre Dzigbe junction to Dzigbe road, two-kilometre Dzewoe to Dzigbe road and three-kilometre Dzigbe to Gborfe Avetikorpe road and the Torkor township roads.
“In spite of the strategic and economic importance that the Torkor Township holds for the Kpando Municipality and for that matter the Volta Region and Ghana in general, the main road linking the Municipal capital to the township road and town roads have not seen any major repairs in a long while.
“With our belief that governance is a continuum, we are not by this petition apportioning blame to any government, past or current for neglecting to fix the Torkor roads which have over time deteriorated.”
Dr Akwensivie said they were focusing on how the roads would be fixed so that the great economic potential that Kpando Torkor held for its residents and the larger economy of Ghana could be realised.
He said when the construction of drains along the main road linking Torkor began and reached the Dzigbe junction, work was halted and the culvert on the road linking Dzigbe town was also not fully completed.
He said the Bugrinabu Construction Ltd, the firm, had abandoned the work for over a year now, adding that the recent rains had deepened the gutters created by the neglect into erosion gullies, posing a serious danger to many road users.
Dr Akwensivie appealed for work to resume on the roads at the earliest opportunity.
Mr Joshua Amenyogbe Phils presented the petition to the Kpando MCE.
Mr Geoffrey Kodzo Badasu, Kpando Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), received the petition and assured the demonstrators that action would be taken.
Kpando Torkor is a clay producing, farming and fishing community with a population of about 6,800 people with great tourism potential. It has 11 primary schools, seven Junior High Schools and a clinic.
GNA