Work on Jaansa Bridge Stalls, Hannan is Cash Trapped as Community Members cry due to onset of Rains.

Jaansa bridge at Siniensi 

The people of Jaansa a suburb of Siniensi in the Builsa North District of the Upper East Region are living in fear with the onset of the rains  as work on the bridge linking the community to Siniensi and the District Capital Sandema has stalled due to funding.

The Jaansa Bridge was awarded to Hannan constructions limited after two persons lost their lives whiles trying to cross the Jaansa river after a heavy downpour in 2018, one was also believed to have been carried away by the strong current of the flood waters same year from Sandema Nyaansa.

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia Flew two helicopters to Siniensi-Yikpieng  to sympathise  with the bereaved  families of  the flood.  The vice president promised the people of Jaansa and Yikpieng of an immediate construction of a bridge over the Jaansa River.

The Vice President also donated Five Thousand Ghana Cedis each to the bereaved families to aid them in the performance of funerals of their dead relatives.

Last year 2019, another person lost his life whiles trying to cross the same river after a heavy downpour.

Work on the Jaansa Bridge is about 70-80% complete but residents of jaansa and Yikpieng are pleading on the Feeder Roads department to ensure that the Contractor returns to site to complete the project after he left site since December 2019.

When Mr Moses Alaale of Hannan Constructions limited was contacted he said, the project stalled because of lack of funding but added that he and his team are working assiduously to address the funding challenge and return to site. He added that the certificates his company raised for payment by government has not been honoured. He said his company was executing the project in partnership with a Chinese firm but said the Chinese firm is pulling off due the challenge in funding.

The Community members say, the current nature of the bridge is impeding on movement even in the dry season as Motor kings cannot cross the bridge to the other side. They say even bicycles and motorcycles struggle before they are able to cross the bridge.

They added that, during the raining season their Children are unable to cross the river to school, they said residents of the  Jaansa community are also unable to cross the river to the only clinic in the area which is in Yikpieng to access health care or  go to the market to purchase food stuff.

This reporter, Derrick Abakisi witnessed an Agric Extension Officer Struggling to cross the river. The Agric Extension Officer who spoke on anonymity say, the nature of the bridge seriously affects movement in the dry season and that the Jaansa Community is usually cut off during the raining season. He said the nature of the Bridge has a serious impact on agricultural activities in the area as most farmers in Yikpieng  have their farms in Jaansa and would have to cross the river before getting access to their farms.

Mr Abongo Paul a Nurse at the Yikpieng Clinic say, the nature of the Bridge seriously affects health activities in the area as health officials are always unable to conduct home visits and community outreach programs at the jaansa community in the raining season due to the nature of the bridge.

Upper East Regional Feeder Roads Manager Mr Bruku Boateng when contacted admited his outfit is aware of the absence of the contractor at the site but added that they have warned him to finish the project on time else it would be taken away from him and awarded to a different contractor with the necessary funding to complete  the project. 

Derrick Abakisi-Noiyeng Radio.