North Tongu Member of Parliament (MP) Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa responded promptly to news of a collapsed bridge in his constituency, which occurred during his appearance on Metro TV's Good Morning Ghana program.
The incident involved a trailer truck carrying 600 bags of salt from Ada to the North, causing the Sayikope bridge over the Aklakpa stream to cave in.
Recent structural concerns raised by highway authorities and engineers at the North Tongu District Assembly had classified the bridge as “weak” with imposed weight restrictions.
Despite consistent appeals from locals, the bridge was not immediately closed and repaired.
Commuters who frequently use the bridge noted a sharp deterioration after VRA's spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong dams.
Okudzeto Ablakwa called for an urgent inquiry into the circumstances and scientific factors behind the collapse, as well as a thorough engineering assessment of all bridges, particularly those affected by the VRA-induced floods.
He emphasized the need for the government to undertake recovery and restoration interventions following the spillage catastrophe. Fortunately, there were no fatalities in this incident, prompting the MP to express gratitude to God while acknowledging that such luck might not prevail in the future.
During his visit to the site, Okudzeto Ablakwa donated life jackets to canoe operators volunteering to assist constituents in crossing the damaged bridge.
Additionally, he provided funds to these operators to ensure that everyone, especially school children, can be ferried to and from school without financial burden. Okudzeto Ablakwa concluded by expressing confidence that the community will overcome the challenges.
