Gov’t to start work on deadly Madina-Adentan highway footbridges after deaths, demo

Government has promised to resume work on some six footbridges on the Madina-Adentan stretch of the N4 Highway following a massive protest Thursday.

Goverment said in a statement that traffic cops have been deployed to check traffic violations on the stretch for the interim.

“Work on the uncompleted bridges is expected to commence within a week. Work is to be done on an accelerated basis with multiple contractors to ensure quick competition. This is in accordance with already commenced processes prior to the unfortunate incident that occurred on Thursday,” a statement jointly signed by Transport Minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah and the Roads Minister, Kwasi Amoako-Atta wrote.

The statement added that traffic signals and street lighting will be installed on the road to improve visibility.
“The National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) is to intensify its education and sensitization programs targeting drivers and pedestrians along the corridor,” it added.



The statement came in reaction to a spontaneous and violent demonstration Thursday evening after a speeding taxi driver knocked down a High School student at Adenta. She died on the spot.

Irate residents blocked the roads and burnt tyres that sent a thick dark cloud of smoke into the evening sky.

“No more deaths,” they chanted. However, the police were deployed to stop the protest which they did after clashes with angry residents who pelted them with stones.
A mother and her son were both hit by stray bullets from the police.

The student’s death becomes the 193rd death on the stretch in 2018 alone.

Last week Friday, a similar protest occurred after a middle-aged woman was knocked down and killed.

A resident who spoke to Joy FM lamented that he has lost three friends to the road.

Source:Myjoyonline