Where are the drain covers on our roads?

When you drive through the city of Accra, it is common to see open drains whose covers have either been damaged by motorists or stolen by scrap dealers.

Unfortunately, these openings are so perilous that some motorists end up running into them, bursting their tyres in the process, especially at night when street lights are also not functioning.

When it rains heavily, such areas get flooded and some pedestrians end up falling in them in their attempt to cross the road.

Sometimes, a few kind-hearted people place used car tyres, sticks, metals, stones, among others, on such drains just to caution road users of the impending danger.

On the Graphic Road for instance, there are a number of such open drains that have been without covers for months, without any attempt by the Urban Roads to get them covered.

The situation is not different in areas such as Kaneshie, Tesano, Dansoman, Dzorwulu, Madina, Nima, Mallam Atta, Abelemkpe, Kasoa, Osu, La, Teshie, Nungua and even some parts of Kumasi.

Drain covers and seals are used to protect drains and help keep them free of debris.

In developed countries, such drain covers are periodically inspected, maintained or replaced in case they suffer structural damages.

Regrettably in our part of the world, you hardly find experts checking on them periodically or replacing them in case of structural defects. They remain there until something disastrous happens.

Apart from missing or broken drain covers, some ceremonial roads and prime areas in the city are gradually being consumed by weeds.

A typical example is some parts of the George Walker Bush Highway popularly known as N1, a six-lane road which has been taken over by creeping plants.

Some roundabouts in Accra, including the Tetteh Quarshie, American Embassy on the Fourth Circular Road and Cantonments roundabouts are all overgrown with weeds, taking away the beauty of the circles which used to have lovely flowery plants.