Kasena-Nankana West DCE pledges swift action on collapsed Navio steel bridge
The damage bridge has also disrupted access to the district capital, Paga, severely affecting economic activity, healthcare access, and farming operations.
Stephen Aeke Akurugo, the newly confirmed District Chief Executive (DCE) for Kasena-Nankana West, has affirmed his commitment to ensure the urgent reconstruction of the Navio bridge on the Paga–Manyoro road.
The bridge, which collapsed in 2022, connects several key communities within the district. Its current state has become a serious hazard for motorists and pedestrians, with multiple accidents and fatalities recorded, particularly during the rainy season.
The damage has also disrupted access to the district capital, Paga, severely affecting economic activity, healthcare access, and farming operations.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Friday May 16, Akurugo described the bridge as “one of the serious dangers” in the district and stressed the urgency of addressing the issue before the rains further endanger lives.
“It is one of the serious dangers in the district. Many people have lost their lives there, especially now that the rains are coming. It is something that I will follow up to ensure it is built for people from both sides of the bridge to be able to connect easily,” he said.
Akurugo revealed that he has already raised the issue at meetings of both the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and the District Security Council (DISEC), expressing hope that it will soon receive priority government attention.
The DCE, who was overwhelmingly confirmed on May 2, following his nomination by President John Dramani Mahama, also lamented the overall poor state of road infrastructure in the district.
He identified road improvement as one of his top three development priorities, alongside agriculture and rural electrification.
“There is no single tarred road in the district. The road network is very bad, so after tackling issues of agriculture and rural electricity, the road network will be the focus,” he noted.
Reconstruction of the Navio steel bridge would come as a relief to residents of Paga who have to do round trips through Navrongo to Manyoro, Natugnia and Sirigu and others parts of the district. It would also positively impact access to markets, education and health care services.
Mike 105.3FM | Navrongo | Alexander Bombande
