Buipe, Yapei bridges needed maintenance – Cargo drivers

The decision by the government to close the Buipe and Yapei bridges in the Northern Region is a good decision, Alhaji Mohammed Tanko, President of the Ghana National Cargo Transport Association, has said.

According to him, the bridges had developed several cracks, a situation that if not checked immediately could result in a fatal accident.

The government indicated that the closure of the bridges was to make way for rehabilitation works.

But concerns are that the closure has slowed down movement of goods and people to and from the Northern and the Southern parts.

But speaking in an interview with Chief Jerry Forson, host of Ghana Yensom on Accra 100.5FM on Wednesday November 29, Alhaji Tanko said: “Yesterday [Tuesday] we met the Ministry of Transport in a meeting and they showed us pictures and video clips of the two bridges which had developed faults and cracks.

“From the video we could clearly see, that indeed the ministry needed to close down the bridges to allow for maintenance.”

Meanwhile Parliament has summoned the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwesi Amoako-Attah, to explain the circumstances that led to the closure of the bridges.

The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, speaking on the floor of parliament on Tuesday, 28 November, noted that the closure of the bridge has resulted in untold hardship for travellers, especially as the Christmas season is drawing closer.

He said: “Mr Speaker, we want the Roads and Highways Minister to furnish this house with what plans and alternative measures he put in place before announcing the closure of the bridge and what steps he is taking, together with the District Coordinating Council and the Assemblies to end this.

“The closure is affecting businesses, it is affecting transportation, and we are in a (the) Christmas (season) where people will be moving their goods and services.”