The Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) says it will undertake further remedial works on defective portions of the Jasikan-Dodo-Pepesu asphalted road after some sections developed problems again despite earlier corrective interventions.
The affected areas include Dzindziso, Dodi-Papase Junction, Okanta and Guaman, where motorists and residents have raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of portions of the Eastern Corridor Road.
Road Maintenance Engineer at the GHA’s Oti Regional Office, Ing. Robert Annan, said the Authority was aware of the defects and had previously carried out corrective works on the affected sections.
He explained, however, that some of the problems had resurfaced, making additional intervention necessary to restore the road to an acceptable condition.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Ing. Annan said the contractor working on the Dodo-Pepesu-Nkwanta section of the Eastern Corridor Road would undertake the remedial works after completing its ongoing activities.
He said the intervention was expected to improve the affected sections, enhance their motorability and make travelling safer and more convenient for motorists and other road users.
Ing. Annan assured residents that the GHA was monitoring the condition of the road and would ensure that the necessary corrective measures were carried out.
The assurance follows growing concerns from residents and motorists who depend on the route, particularly commercial vehicle operators who frequently use the affected portions.
Assemblyman for the Dzindziso Electoral Area, Mr Hamza Lukman, said residents were worried that the defects could deteriorate further if urgent action was not taken.
He appealed to the GHA and the contractor to expedite the remedial works, warning that worsening road conditions could increase the risk of accidents and cause further disruptions to transportation.
The Jasikan-Dodo-Pepesu stretch forms part of the Eastern Corridor Road, an important transportation route linking communities within the Oti Region and facilitating the movement of people and goods to other parts of the country.
Residents have therefore called for sustained maintenance of the road to protect the investment made in the route, prolong its lifespan and minimise disruptions to economic activities.
The 56.4-kilometre Jasikan-Dodo-Pepesu section was officially inaugurated on September 8, 2022, by then Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and opened to vehicular traffic as part of efforts to improve connectivity along the Eastern Corridor.
With defects now re-emerging on parts of the asphalted route, residents and road users are looking to the planned intervention to restore the affected sections and prevent further deterioration.
