Residents of Amomaso, a farming community in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region, have accused the Department of Feeder Roads (DFR) of contributing to the deteriorating condition of a major road linking the community to neighbouring towns.
The residents claim the Department prevented efforts by the Member of Parliament for the area, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, to rehabilitate the road despite its deplorable state.
Addressing the media at a press conference, resident Abdullai Mohammed alleged that the MP had deployed road construction equipment to begin reshaping the road in response to the concerns of residents.
According to him, the road, which connects Amomaso, Panaaba and other communities to Wamahinso, has remained in a deplorable condition for several years, making transportation difficult for residents and commuters.
He described the Department’s decision to halt the MP’s intervention as unfortunate, especially as the road continues to pose serious challenges to motorists and residents.
“The road has been left unattended for years. If the MP is willing to use his own resources to reshape it and ease the suffering of commuters, there is no reason he should be prevented from doing so,” he stated.
Mr. Mohammed called on the Department of Feeder Roads to immediately direct the contractor awarded the project to commence work.
He noted that residents do not even know the identity of the contractor and warned that the Department could face public backlash if the road remains unattended.
Other residents said the poor condition of the road has discouraged drivers from transporting farm produce from the area.
According to them, transport operators who use the road often charge exorbitant fares due to the risks and challenges involved.
They further indicated that sick persons and pregnant women travelling to towns such as Gyedu, Sunyani, Kenyasi, Hwidiem and Goaso endure severe hardship because of the road’s poor condition.
The residents appealed to the Department of Feeder Roads to either compel the contractor to begin work immediately or allow the MP and the District Assembly to use District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) machines to rehabilitate the road.
They stressed that fixing the road has become an urgent necessity to safeguard lives, improve transportation and support economic activities in the area.
