State of roads in Bolgatanga unacceptable - Tongraan

Tongraan Naab Kugbilson Nalebegtang, Paramount Chief of the Talensi Traditional area has called for an accelerated approach by government to change the state of roads in the Upper East particularly in the Bolgatanga township.

While describing the state of roads in Upper East Regional capital as nothing to write home about, Naab Kugbilson Nalebegtang could not fathom why a Regional capital should have its roads in their current terrible state.

Speaking at the Regional Townhall meeting in Bolgatanga organised by the Ministry of Information on Monday and covered by MyNewsGh.com, the former Member of Parliament (MP) now traditional ruler called for a special attention on the roads situation in the Upper East region.

“Everything that we are doing now, if you count us among other regions in terms of roads, in terms of infrastructure, we are almost always at the last end. It is on this grounds that I will like to appeal that in spite of what we have seen in terms of road infrastructure that is going on, we still need an accelerated approach on our road construction works,” he said.

Touching particularly on the state of roads in Bolgatanga township, the obviously unhappy Paramount Chief noted that the situation defeats the status of Bolgatanga as a Regional capital of the Upper East region.

“One area I will like to say without mincing words is the Bolgatanga township road which is our regional capital. The Regional capital roads are nothing to write home about and I think for us to also boast as a region, there should be an accelerated approach to the road network within the Bolgatanga township so that we can also knock our chest and say that when you come to Bolgatanga as the Upper East Regional capital the road network is so good,” he added.

While comparing the Bolgatanga township road situation to Tema where he lived for over 30 years, he argued that “the Bolgatanga road network is not near Tema township road network which is not even a Regional capital. I always make this comparison because am always jealous because I should be jealous of what is happening somewhere and not happening in my area”.

Tongraan Naab Kugbilson Nalebegtang who also doubles as a Member of the Council of State disclosed that he will moving forward hold the Roads Minister firmly to ensure that the roads are fixed.

The poor state of roads in Bolgatanga has in the past weeks sparked apprehension and anger among commuters and residents who have directed their frustration at the leadership in the region particularly on the political front for failing to address the terrible situation.

Major roads in town including the main road stretching through the central business district of Bolgatanga and connecting to Zuarungu towards Bawku has been ridden with potholes. Several other roads linking to suburbs of the town have deteriorated significantly following heavy downpours in the past weeks.

Though leadership in the region including the Regional Minister Tangoba Abayage have explained that the potholes can only be patched after the rains have subsided, residents and road users continue to endanger their lives and risk the cost of frequently damaging their vehicles on the bad roads.