Eshiem goes agog over DRIP equipment, road repairs

The chiefs and people of Eshiem in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area have commended the government for the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) initiative.

They said the initiative would go a long way to improve the road network in the metropolis.

Expressing their appreciation for the project through the media at Eshiem following the commencement of work on the Eshiem-Mpintsin junction road in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, the people urged engineers at the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) to accelerate the completion of work on roads in the community before the upcoming general elections.

They said as stakeholders, "we are eager to see the project through to its fruition, recognising its potential to significantly improve the local infrastructure and enhance the community’s overall well-being".

Eshiem-Mpintsin junction

The Eshiem to Mpintsin junction road has been in a deplorable state for some time now, despite its vital importance to the local economy. The road facilitates access to markets, industrial zones and commercial centres.

However, its poor condition has sparked about six separate demonstrations in the last four years, with residents expressing frustration over the STMA’s perceived inaction.

On August 23, the NDC parliamentary candidate for the Essikado Ketan Constituency, Professor Dr Grace Ayensu Danquah, initiated the reshaping of the road but halted without explanation.

However, on Friday, August 30, the NPP parliamentary candidate, Charles Onuawonto Bissue, and the STMA mobilised equipment under the DRIP to address the issue.

Concerns

Motorists who use this stretch of road shared their concerns about its deplorable condition.

"We were overjoyed when we heard that machinery was being dispatched to work on this road, as we have been suffering due to its poor condition. Just last week, I had to spend GH¢2,500 on car repairs, and I believe that if the road had been maintained, I could have avoided such expenses.

 In fact, well-maintained roads would be a benefit to my taxes, as I could have bought a shock absorber that would have lasted me six months to a year,” Samuel Esoun, a taxi driver, told the media.

"We are appealing to the government to come to our aid, as the poor road conditions are affecting our daily lives. I recently had to transport a pregnant woman from Eshiem to Essikado, and she gave birth in my car," another driver who gave his name as Yoosi Abban, said.

He was grateful to Mr Bissue for helping the community and appealed to engineers working on the road to expedite action on the work to complete it on schedule.

“We thank God that Charles Bissue, through the assembly, has finally brought the machines to upgrade our roads. This has been a desire of our community, and we are grateful that it is now being addressed. During his last visit, he assured us that he wouldn’t make promises but would ensure that the work gets done.

“The presence of these machines on our road has brought a sense of joy and relief to us. Moreover, once the road is maintained, it will significantly reduce the cost of buying spare parts, which has been a burden on us for a long time,” Mr Abban said.