It’s Govt job to fix roads – Okyenhene

Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the Okyenhene, has challenged the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government led by President John Mahama, to stop bragging about the construction of roads as an achievement because it’s part of the government’s responsibilities.

“I must state emphatically that any government which constructs roads should know that it’s not an achievement for it to sing its own praises, because it’s part of its responsibilities,” he emphasized.

Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, who doubles as President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, made this comment when addressing a durbar of chiefs during the Okyeman Environmental Week celebration under the theme, “Our prosperity should not cost the earth,” at Kadewaso in the Atiwa District last Saturday.

“As the president of a country, it is your responsibility to build infrastructure for the people who voted you into power …” Okyenhene posited.

It would be recalled that President John Mahama, a week ago stormed the region to cut the sod for the construction of some cocoa roads, including the Kyebi town roads. Mr. Mahama hinted that his administration had secured some loans to embark on road construction projects across the country for five years, with retrospective effect from 2014.

However, the Okyenhene, who wasn’t satisfied about the NDC propagating it as an achievement, called on the government to stop singing praises about it since it is its responsibility to do that.

Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin pointed out that it is the duty of government to ensure that all road networks are motorable, to facilitate easy transportation of the citizens as well as goods.

The Okyenhene urged that the citizenry, irrespective of their political backgrounds, must always rally behind any president or government to ensure infrastructural development.

Osagyefuo decried the disrespect some citizens in the country show to those in authorities, simply because of freedom of speech, and entreated all to desist from that practice.

The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mavis Ama Fimpong, who was the guest of honour, commended the Okyenhene for his resolve to plant more trees every year to ensure green environments.

She stressed the need to protect water bodies and forests by desisting from illegal mining (galamsey) and illegal felling of trees.