Upper East: Bongo-Soe road abandoned for 10 years despite contractor promise – Assembly Member

The Assembly Member for the Sanabisi Electoral Area in the Bongo District, Philip Awane Akaribo, has appealed for urgent government intervention to rehabilitate the Bongo-Soe road, saying the route remains in a deplorable condition more than a decade after residents were informed that a contractor had been engaged.

According to Mr. Akaribo, the Alabukulo road, which connects Bongo Township to Soe and other surrounding communities, is a major route for transportation, trade and movement towards Namoo and the Burkina Faso border.

He said residents were informed as far back as 2015 that a contractor had been engaged to construct the road, but work has yet to begin.

“As an Assembly Member, I can confirm that the contractor is not on site. The road has been abandoned for years,” he said.

Mr. Akaribo said the situation was particularly worrying because the road provides access to the Soe Market, which he described as one of the biggest markets in the Bongo District and an important source of revenue for the Bongo District Assembly.

He said market women, traders, farmers, motorists and other road users continue to struggle with the poor condition of the road, especially during the rainy season when some portions become muddy, eroded and difficult to navigate.

According to him, the deteriorating condition of the road has compelled residents to mobilise themselves to repair some sections in an effort to keep the route temporarily accessible.

However, Mr. Akaribo stressed that community-led repairs could only provide temporary relief and could not replace a properly engineered road project.

He therefore called on the government and relevant authorities to urgently intervene and ensure that the road is rehabilitated.

He said a properly constructed road would ease transportation, boost economic activities, improve access to the Soe Market and facilitate movement between communities along the route.

A community member, Apegwine Awinesoya, also appealed to the authorities to prioritise the rehabilitation of the road.

He said the poor condition of the route affects residents’ daily activities, the transportation of farm produce and access to markets and other essential services.

Mr. Awinesoya urged the government, the Bongo District Assembly and other relevant authorities to listen to the concerns of residents and take immediate steps to address the situation.

For residents who have waited for more than a decade since being told that a contractor had been engaged, the continued absence of work on the Bongo-Soe road remains a major source of frustration and concern.