Users of the Ayigbe Town stretch in Accra’s Ablekuma Central Constituency have urged the government to fix a bridge that is dangerous for commuters.
According to reports, two people died while attempting to utilize the bridge, which has been abandoned for about two years.
People who commute across this terrible bridge on a regular basis take calculated precautions to avoid any accidents.
The bridge which sits on a big gutter and spans a busy road, is close to the Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange behind the former ICGC temple at Ayigbe town in the Ablekuma Central Constituency.
The bridge according to residents used to serve as a shorter route to the then onion market at Agbogbloshie in Accra years before the relocation of the market to Adjen Kotoku by the government.
Residents, however, claim that the deck on the bridge was removed by unidentified individuals because they felt it was no longer performing its intended role following the market’s relocation.
The only support for passengers using the bridge is the railing on either side of it.
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The metallic beams supporting the bridge have rusted while the deck on the bridge had become a death trap.
Commuters particularly have ignored the warnings and on a daily basis use the bridge risking their safety in the process.
Aishetu Mohammed is a trader who has been selling in front of the bridge for close to 15 years, and she spoke to Citi News about the state of the bridge prior to its deterioration.
“I was here when they constructed the bridge. It was constructed by Pastor Mensah Otabil for easy access to the onion market before they were relocated to Adjen Kotoku. So when they were relocated some unknown persons removed the deck because they believed it was not serving its intended purpose. They still use it because it is a shorter route to their destinations in the main Agbogbloshie market.”
Citi News caught up with Mariama Tendemba a nursing mother with her one-and-a-half-old baby after they successfully crossed the bridge.
“I am afraid but the route we normally use is far from here. There is another route at Abossey Okai, but it is far. Motorists also use that stretch which also puts their lives in danger.”
Commuters however want authorities to come to their aid to avert any other casualties.
SOURCE: CITINEWS
