The Safohene of Asasetre in the Ellembelle District, Nana Kpanyinli Baako, has made an urgent appeal to the Ministry of Roads and Highways to immediately repair the broken and weakened bridge over the River Ebi near Awiebo before the rainy season begins.
He expressed concern that once the rains set in, movement of travelers, farmers, goods, and services would come to a halt, as the water beneath the deteriorating bridge often overflows, making it impassable.
According to him, the bridge plays a crucial role in connecting communities along the Esiama–Teleku-Bokazo route through to Aiyinasi, facilitating the movement of people and goods in the area.
It will be recalled that the bridge over the River Ebi collapsed some time ago. Investigations by Nzema Today TV reveal that an attempt by the sitting Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to persuade Memphis Metropolitan Construction Limited to fix the bridge and the entire road was reportedly thwarted by the then District Chief Executive, Hon. Kwasi Bonzoh, leading to a scuffle between the two political leaders of Ellembelle.
Sources close to Nzema Today TV reveal that the District Chief Executive (DCE) claimed the Assembly had already awarded the contract for the road from Esiama through Teleku-Bokazo to Aiyinasi, and therefore the Member of Parliament (MP) had no authority to instruct the contractor to return to the site.
Safohene Kpanyinli Baako, who confirmed the incident, told Nzema Today TV that the actions of the DCE, Hon. Kwasi Bonzoh, to stop the MP even after the contractor had agreed to the MP’s request to fix the bridge, were in bad faith.
The traditional ruler lamented that commuters using that route were suffering due to the deplorable condition of the road, made worse by a broken bridge.
Safohene Kpanyinli Baako questioned why such a once busy road had been abandoned, attributing the neglect to the construction of the ABU International Road from Esiama through Azulenloanu to Aiyinasi.
He noted that most farmers and traders in the area rely on the bridge daily to earn a living, and he called on the government to urgently fix the bridge and asphalt the road network.
By Kodwo Nyamekeh
