Pupils call on government to SOLVE Ahinsan-Kuntenase 'abandoned' road to put an end to the DUSTY distractions in class

Pupils of Esreso Junior High School (JHS) are appealing to the government and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Simon Osei-Mensah to accelerate efforts in completing the Ahinsan-Lake road to cut short the ‘dusty’ situations they go through in class.

The school located by the roadside has become an atmosphere of dusts as a result of the road abandoned for some months now by the contractor. Pupils have to walk out of class in the middle of lessons for hours in order to escape the powdery particles.

The main road from Atonsu to Kuntenase, in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region was awarded to a contractor to spread out the highway into dual carriage, a means of controlling road congestion that usually occurred on the Ahinsan-Atonsu road.

The construction was in two portions; the expansion of the highway into dual carriage from Ahinsan Brewery to Kyirapatre by the Urban Roads before the Ghana Highway Authority could resume works from the latter to Aputuogya filling Station. The remaining stretch to Abono was revealed as a single lane therefore two years was the period communicated for the reformation of the road.

Works begun in August 2018 by China Heman International (CHICO) in association with Semens Construction and Joshobs Construction Limited as well as Core Construction. Although the allotted time for the completion of the road is not due yet, for some time now, activities have halted.

From Atonsu Agogo station through Kyirapatre and Aputuogya had the excavation plant machinery and bulldozers mount dirt and soil over the area. The levelling of the surface were disregarded allowing drivers to ply which has churned out dust making it more challenging for drivers, passengers and residents.

Pedestrians cover their heads to prevent trapping diseases whiles others who are on business schedules and program attendees through the road find places to later dress up owing to how spreadable the dust easily stain clothes of people.

According to Achiaa Wereko Sylvia, Girls prefect of Eserso JHS, the dusty road has brought about flu to pupils in the school whiles the mud formed when rain pours distracts them from getting to school on time, which prevents other students at distant places from reporting to school.

“We easily suffer from cold due to the dust. Whenever the rains pour, the mud prevents us from reporting to school early. Other pupil do not want to come to school because of the mud-spattered ground and its affecting us. We are appealing to authorities to please try and complete the road in order to put a stop to these distractions,” she said.

Emmanuel Agyei, Senior Boy’s prefect says he is expecting the government to consider their future and put the issue of the road to bed.

“The government should do unto us what the former leaders did for them in order to better our future. It’s sad sometimes to leave class whiles lessons are ongoing to avoid the dust. They must consider our future.”

The Aputuogya Fuel station has been painted with dust all over giving no room for workers by the roadside to exhibit their products.

Adowa Beduwa, a seamstress revealed to the News crew that the restructuring of the road was good news to them at the initial stage but after some time now, they see it to be a 'bad omen' for the reason that the delay has caused their inability to set up advertising dolls in front of their shop to market their handwork.

“Business was very active before, but we cannot assemble our stuffs for exhibition due to the dust. People cover their heads and that alone is a disadvantage to sales. We are pleading to the government to help us. We work hard very well but yet gain nothing”.

“We sew wedding gowns to people for marriage. They have stopped patronizing because anytime they come to pick it up, there is an indication of filth, which affects our business,” she added.

With the road lying in ruins, the harm it’s causing to people is much therefore it is needful for the government to resolve anything obstructing the completion of the project.