Adomi Bridge Closure Exposes Bad Roads

A typical bad stretch on Ho-Adidome-Sogakope road

THE CLOSURE of the Adomi Bridge last month has exposed the bad nature of the alternative route from Ho to Accra, particularly the Adaklu stretch.

The Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) on Monday, 10 March, 2014, closed down the Adomi Bridge to make way for rehabilitation works which would last two years. As a result, two ferries were stationed at Senchi in the Asuogyaman district to convey vehicles and passengers from the Eastern to the Volta Region via the Volta Lake.

As part of the arrangements, an alternative route was suggested for drivers bound for Ho and beyond due to the unnecessary pressure and inconvenience at the ferry sites. The route, which was purported to be in good shape, has turned out to be otherwise at some portions.

Uncompleted Portions

The alternative route allows travelers and motorists to reach Accra from Ho through Adaklu-Mafi-Adidome, Sogakofe and Tema. Although the Sogakofe-Ada-Tema portion is motorable, the portion between Ho and Adidome, which government officials say is over 90% complete, has a greater portion of it in deplorable and life-threatening state.

The stretch was supposed to have been completed about two years ago, yet government’s inability to deliver on its financial obligations has created the existing condition.

Apparently, the Adidome to Mafi area is almost complete. However, the stretch from Mafi through Adaklu to Ho is just about 60% complete, says the Volta Regional Roads and Highways Director, Ernest Duah Owusu.

It is important to note that out of the 46.8-kilometer stretch, just about 25.8 kilometers have been completed by the three contractors working on the stretch. They include Messrs Ussuya Ghana Limited, who has completed seven kilometers out of the 18.8 km stretch from Ho to Adaklu-Xelekpe.

PMC Construction Limited has done four kilometers out of a 14.8-km stretch from Adaklu-Xelekpe to Adaklu-Ahunda, while Jerricof has done 13.8 km out of 15 km which stretches from Adaklu-Ahunda to Mafi Kpedzeglo.

 Scary Experience

Currently, a total of 21-km stretch from Ho through several Adaklu towns to Mafi-Kpedzeglo is left in a deplorable state, including unconstructed and uncompleted culverts as well as big potholes which collet water when it rains.

The clayey portion also becomes muddy and traps vehicles during the rainy season which has started manifesting already. Other portions also have some questionable gravel and formations that make vehicles vibrate in what some passengers have described as “a scary experience.”

More so, the portions which have been given a first coat to ease movement are yet to have additional coats. That notwithstanding, the meandering nature of the road makes night driving very dangerous, since there are no demarcations on the side and white paintings in the middle to guide drivers.

Accidents and Window of Hope

The Station Master of the Volta Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Regional Police Command, Chief Inspector Francis Gbedze, confirmed that the nature of the road caused three accidents last month.

The Regional Highways Director, Mr. Earnest Duah who also admitted that portions of the road needed immediate rehabilitation, disclosed that about two weeks ago the Minister for Roads and Highways, Alhaji Amidu Sulemani, visited the area and gave the assurance that work would resume on the roads soon.

Credit: Fred Duodu/Dailyguide