IT has been reported that the current state of the Asafo Interchange in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region portends danger for pedestrians and motorists. The situation is dire that parts of the interchange are hanging loose, waiting to strike disaster on innocent citizens.
IN the wake of the precarious state of the interchange, road users in Kumasi are fear-stricken and do not know when the unexpected would happen, as that could happen to them or their relatives. This is quite a disturbing situation!
WE know that the Asafo Interchange (a dual carriage interchange) was constructed some ten years ago (in 2007) with the object of easing traffic congestion in Kumasi. Like we see with many of our state facilities, Today is tempted to believe that since its construction the interchange has not seen any renovation works.
IT is like as a country we are always in a hurry to excite the public by building some of these beautiful state edifices but then the problem arises when it comes to maintenance. Once bridges, interchanges, schools among other infrastructural facilities are built, maintaining them to ensure that they last their full life-span becomes no one’s business.
IT, therefore, comes to us as no surprise that the Asafo Interchange is posing grave danger to road users. The fact is that there are many of such Asafo Interchanges in this country which require urgent attention of the powers-that-be. But unfortunately, our authorities rather wait for disaster to strike before they act. Why this is always the case is something we cannot comprehend.
AND though the Urban Roads Department in Kumasi is aware of the development, they contend that some bureaucratic impediments are stalling their efforts at maintaining the interchange. Quite unfortunate!
IT is gratifying to hear that the Kumasi Metro Roads give a firm assurance that they will fix the problem. Speaking on the issue, the Kumasi Metro Urban Chief Engineer, Nana Atta Poku, assured Kumasi residents of an immediate fixing of the problem. However, if that means the interchange must be closed to motorists temporarily for repair works to be carried on it Today is all for it. The safety of residents in Kumasi should be of paramount to our authorities.
THUS, we call on the Urban Roads Department to routinely assess our interchanges, footbridges and flyovers to ensure that they are always in good condition for public use. It is about time that our state institutions asserted themselves in their monitoring responsibilities.
WE believe that will contribute enormously towards saving the precious lives and averting preventable disasters.
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