Fosu Lagoon Bridge to be reconstructed

Cape Coast, July 20, GNA - The government has earmarked 1.1 billion cedis towards the reconstruction of the bridge over the Fosu lagoon in Cape Coast.

Nana Ato Arthur Deputy Central Regional Minister stated this when he met officials of the Ghana Private Road Transport and the Cooperative Transport Unions at Cape Coast, on Tuesday.

The meeting followed public outcry about the increase in fares, since commercial drivers had to divert through OLA, UCC and Elmina. Residents of the town also expressed concern about the timing of the rehabilitation works, since PANAFEST and the Fetu Afahye' were just around the corner.

Nana Arthur explained that it was imperative that the reconstruction work was carried out, since the current state of the bridge "could cause a disaster".

He gave the assurance that it would be completed before the festival and urged the Drivers not to over charge. The members of the unions, agreed to reduce the fares from 2,500 and 4,000 cedis to 2000 and 3,500 cedis until work on the bridge was completed.

The approved fares are 1,500 and 3,000 cedis. Mr Kwadwo Sarpong-Nsiah, Managing Director of KACE, which is undertaking the reconstruction work, said it would be completed by the end of August and opened to traffic a month later.