The minister stated that the government Plan To Construct Bridge Over Yeji-makango Lake
The Savannah regional minister, Adam Braimah Salifu, on Sunday 17th November 2019, visited the Makango stretch of the volta lake to interact and inspect the level of damage caused to vehicles and properties after the ferry (Nana Besemuna or the Pantu) sunk last Friday, the 15th November 2019 just around Makango.
The minister led the Regional Security Council to the place in order to get first-hand information about the incident.
Whilst sympathizing with the truck owners and others over the damage caused, the minister assured that the president is working tirelessly to bring joy back to the people of the area.
He stated that the government is aware of the economic loss the people were suffering due to the break down of the ferry. And that the management of the ferry had taken some steps to remedy the situation.
In the meantime, Yapei Queen has been called to replace the sunk ferry till such a time that another ferry called Jakpa, will take over from Yapei Queen.
The Jakpa ferry is expected on at Makango this Wednesday, 20th November 2019 to continue with the normal services.
No injuries and deaths recorded. The trucks loaded on the ferry got damaged.
The minister said plans are far advanced with a Chinese company to construct a bridge over the seven-kilometer volta lake between Mankango and Yeji to put to stop all the struggles and delays the people go through any time they travel.
He added that the about forty (40) minutes drive road stretch from Salaga to Makango will soon receive improvement to help in the movement of agriculture produce and others to and fro the area.
Naval Captain Akabutu with Volta lake transport, led a team from the ministry of transport from Accra to Makango to rescue the other part of the ferry or Pantu which is still stuck in the volta lake, and is very confident the job will be executed as soon as possible to bring economic and transportation comfort back to the people.
He explained that the Jakpa ferry was due to replace the sunk ferry(Nana Besemuna) for massive maintenance when the incident occurred.
Mr Akabutu assured that the water under the vessel will be emptied to pave the way for engineers to begin work on the broken down Ferry. All the wooden parts of the ferry will be replaced with metal ones.
There will be consistent routine maintenance to prevent future such occurrences.
Some of the residents and drivers who spoke to PADFM and padfmonline.com called on the government to speed up the process to get the ferry back to action because it carries more vehicles and passengers than other ferries.
At the time of the incident, three trucks loaded with tubers of yam were on board. They lost some of the tubers of yam to the lake.
All the trucks on board were rescued.
Earlier, the Salaga South MP, led a delegation to grace the annual Kpembe traditional area Damba, organized by Kpembewura Banbagne.
The minister explained to the chiefs and people of the area that the Nana Addo led administration will fix the Tamale-Salaga-Makango roads as well as other major road networks in the region.
He assured that by end of January 2020, Salaga water problems will be over as contractors working on the project are on course to complete the water project.
The minister called for peace, unity and understanding for the growth and development of the area.
Source: Padfminline.com // Abdulai Zulkaninu.