Upper East Regional Minister embarks on a working tour to clear air on viral Chuchuliga road video

The Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, has dismissed claims that sections of the Chuchuliga-Sandema road project have been abandoned, assuring residents that work is progressing according to the approved scope of the contract.

The assurance follows the circulation of a viral social media video in which children were seen using shovels to patch portions of the road, leading bloggers to suggest that work meant for the contractor was being carried out by the children. The video also questioned the progress of the project and generated widespread public concern.

In response to the concerns, Atanga embarked on a working tour of the project on Wednesday, July 29, to inspect the works and explain the status of the contract.

The first stop of the tour was the bridge section of the project, where concerns had also been raised after the viral video.

The Regional Minister explained that although the bridge project had stalled under an earlier government contract, work resumed after the current government resolved issues affecting the contractor, leading to the completion of the bridge. He noted that only the stone pitching around the bridge remains to protect it from erosion.

According to him, the stones required for the pitching works have already been delivered to the site, but the contractor has been unable to carry out the work because the rains have made it impossible to access the riverbed for the necessary compaction.

“We also had the viral video about some children on the road. Presumably, it was shot to suggest that it is the portion of the Big Push that has been left. That is why I decided to come representing the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council to see whether the contractors on site are doing what is needed,” Atanga stated.

He explained that the inspection was conducted at the end of the current 10-kilometre contract from Chuchuliga towards Sandema, adding that the contractor extended the project by about 200 metres to safeguard the road against possible erosion.

Atanga clarified that the delay in completing the stone pitching should not be mistaken for negligence, stressing that the contractor is expected to return to the site after the rains subside to complete the outstanding works.

The Minister also dismissed claims that the entire Navrongo-Chuchuliga-Tumu road corridor falls under the Big Push Programme, explaining that only specific sections are covered under the current contract, while other portions had already been constructed under separate government-funded projects.

“When they say the Big Push covers the Navrongo-Chuchuliga-Tumu road, it does not necessarily mean every section is under the programme. Some sections had already been undertaken under different government contracts,” he explained.

Atanga assured residents of Builsa North and Builsa South that government is considering extending the current Big Push project from its present endpoint through Sandema to Fumbisi after the ongoing package is completed.

“Let them complete this first. Government is considering extending the project so that eventually we can stretch the road from here to Fumbisi,” he said.

He commended residents for taking an active interest in development projects but urged them to seek clarification from duty bearers before drawing conclusions that could create a false impression about ongoing government projects.

Mike 105.3FM I Navrongo | Elizabeth Apusaama

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