The final stage of the rehabilitation of the Oforikrom New Site Bridge in the Ashanti Region has been completed, bringing relief to residents and road users who had expressed concerns over the deteriorating condition of the facility.
The completion of the rehabilitation works follows concerns raised on social media over the poor state of the bridge, which had reportedly posed a serious risk to residents, pedestrians and motorists who used the route.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Oforikrom, Mr Anwel Sadat Ahmed, who disclosed this, said the assembly responded to the concerns to ensure that the bridge was restored to a safe and usable condition.
According to him, the completion of the final phase formed part of efforts by the assembly to address pressing infrastructure challenges within the municipality and protect the lives and property of residents.
He said the condition of the bridge had generated considerable concern among members of the community, particularly because of the role it played in facilitating movement within the New Site area.
Mr Ahmed explained that the rehabilitation was therefore necessary to minimise the risks associated with the deteriorating structure and provide a safer passage for motorists and pedestrians.
He said the assembly took the concerns seriously and worked to ensure that the necessary rehabilitation was carried out within the shortest possible time.
The MCE said the completion of the project would improve safety for road users and residents who depended on the bridge for their daily activities.
He urged motorists, pedestrians and other users of the facility to exercise caution and take good care of the rehabilitated infrastructure to ensure that it served the community for a long time.
Mr Ahmed further appealed to residents to report any emerging defects or infrastructure challenges to the assembly promptly rather than waiting until they posed serious threats to public safety.
He said the assembly remained committed to responding to the infrastructural needs of communities within the municipality as part of efforts to improve living conditions and promote local development.
Public concern
The rehabilitation also highlights the growing role of public concerns and social media in drawing attention to infrastructure challenges confronting communities.
The concerns over the Oforikrom New Site Bridge brought the condition of the facility into the public domain and triggered calls for urgent intervention.
With the final stage now completed, residents and road users are expected to benefit from a safer and more reliable crossing.
The MCE said the assembly would continue to prioritise projects that had a direct impact on the safety and welfare of residents, while encouraging the public to collaborate with the local authority in protecting public infrastructure.
The completion of the bridge rehabilitation is expected to ease concerns among residents and improve movement through the New Site area.
