Ghana Highway Authority Alert: Danger Looms In Mepe-Dadome Over Heavy Truck Drivers’ Defiance To Ply Weak Steel Bridge On Aklakpa River

HEAVY truck drivers are putting residents of Mepe-Dadome and its adjoining communities in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region at risk because of their defiance to ply a weak steel bridge in the area.

The steel bridge on the Aklakpa River in Mepe-Dadome plays a very vital role as it connects the town to areas including Dadome, Mafi-Adidome and Juapong in the district.

But, the continuous defiance of these recalcitrant heavy truck drivers to secretly ply on this bridge in the nights to dodge the traditional and state authorities is putting the bridge in danger and by extension the lives of people in Mepe-Dadome.

According to them, the collapse of the Aklakpa River steel bridge at Sayikope has already increased pressure on the bridge on the Aklakpa River at Dadome where residents, motorists and travellers were now commuting on.

The residents complained that though the authorities have warned the drivers not to ply that stretch of the bridge, the drivers continue to remain defiant!

It is against this backdrop that the residents of Mepe-Dadome are appealing to the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) to address the issue with a sense of urgency, before the bridge collapses.

Some pupils and students from Mepe- Dadome, Fekpoe, Adaxor among other towns who cross the bridge during weekdays to school have also expressed fear about the state of the bridge when Soireenews.com's journalist visited the area to verify and authenticate the real facts of the matter.

Traders who also use this bridge equally shared same sentiments and fears.

They complained about how these recalcitrant heavy-duty drivers ply the weak steel bridge on Aklakpa River in the nights.

They called on the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the GHA to engage security personnel to guard the bridge to stop the divers from using the bridge.

"We have also reported the unsafe nature of the bridge secretly being plied by the heavy-duty vehicles to transport goods from areas like Ada, Akatsi, Aflao through Mafi-Adidome through the unsafe bridge on Aklakpa River at Mepe Dadome to Juapong and Akosombo enclaves to the state authorities but they are waiting for this bridge to collapse before the state authorities act.”

"This is very bad because it seems our political leadership wants a person to die before they would rush to take action,”the residents cautioned.

They, therefore, urged the government to wake up and address the issues with the Mepe Dadome Aklakpa River Bridge.

“The government should help us; the bridge is not in a good state; the flood as a result of the Akosombo and Akuse Dams spillage has weakened the bridge which has made it unsafe for use,” the residents lamented.

“Honestly, the bridge has been in a very poor condition for a long time, so we think it's the best time to ask for a prompt action to be taken” the residents stressed.

Our Senior Journalist, Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu who visited the area on Wednesday, January 31, 2034, can authoritatively report that the bridge is on the verge of collapse, if measures were not taken by the officials of the GHA to do maintenance on the bridge.

Probing further, the Soireenews.com gathered that floodwater as a result of the Akosombo Dam spillage had washed away the sand protecting the pillars of the steel bridge, making it dangerous for heavy vehicles to ply on.

In an interview with this news portal, the District Chief Executive of the North Tongu District Assembly, Mr Divine Osborn Kwadzo Fenu, expressed fears about the development and warned drivers of heavy-duty trucks to stop using the bridge.

However, he indicated that he will report the matter to the GHA to erect warning signs around the bridge to signal road users of a “weak bridge ahead.” 

"I would be going to Ho, the Volta Region capital today to report the urgency of the matter to the Ghana Highway Authority so that they take contingency measures to safeguard lives and properties,” the DCE assured.

It would be recalled that Mepe, a town already grappling with the aftermath of flooding caused by the Akosombo Dam spillage, has been struck by yet another unfortunate event.

A steel bridge located at Saikope in the Mepe area, connecting the North Tongu town of Juapong to the Central Tongu capital town, Adidome, has collapsed.

According to reports, the collapse occurred when a fully loaded trailer carrying 600 bags of salt attempted to cross the bridge.

Fortunately, there have been no reported fatalities resulting from the incident.