Encroachment hampering infrastructural development in Tamale

The wanton encroachment on lands earmarked for development projects is threatening infrastructural growth in the Northern Region. The situation, according to the Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji A. B. A Fuseini is partly responsible for the development lapses in that part of the country.

Alhaji Fuseini, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sagnerigu in the Tamale metropolis, noted that some lands demarcated for roads, schools, hospitals, markets, among others, had been heavily encroached upon, making it difficult, if not impossible, to effectively and efficiently execute government projects.

The deputy minister and MP expressed the concern in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Tamale during an inspection tour of roads in the Northern and Upper East regions by the Minister of Roads and Highways .

He laid the problem on the doorstep of some chiefs who, he said, sold lands indiscriminately.

Citing a case he recently had to mediate between the people of Kumbugu and Zugu, Alhaji Fuseini said the access road from Zugu to Kumbugu had been heavily encroached upon by the people of Kumbungu such that the road was virtually non-existent.

“The outcome is that the people of Zugu now have to travel long distances through Savelugu to Kumbungu, while the stretch from Zugu to Kumbungu would have been shorter,”he explained.

Perhaps the rehabilitation of the Sagnerigu Batco road project inspected by Alhaji Sulemani and his directors, gave credence to Alhaji Fuseini's concerns.

Sections of the road around the Sagneirigu dam have been encroached upon even though the area is flood-prone. This has made it difficult for the construction of storm drains in the area. It was evident that plots had been demarcated on waterways, and it is important that the practice is stopped immediately.

In all, the minister inspected work on four projects, three of which are the rehabilitation of the Industrial Area roads, the rehabilitation of the Fuo-Taha main road, and the upgrading of the Vittin Target road.

Work is yet to begin on the Fuo-Taha road, while the Vittin Target is now being cleared.

At the industrial area, 4.5 kilometres of roads have been constructed to sub-base finish. Works were going on at the time of the visit.

The contractor, Alhaji Sumani Kpegu of Messrs A.S Kpegu Company Limited, told the Daily Graphic that work was progressing steadily.

The minister also inspected the condition of the 2.5km Kpalsi-Dimale road being considered for rehabilitation.

That road leads to the Kpalsi Clinic, which is managed by the Catholic Church.

Alhaji Fuseini said the Northern Regional Co- ordinating Council was engaging the chiefs in discussions in order to find lasting solution to the problem.

Alhaji Sulemani, however, indicated that the assemblies also had a role to play in resolving the problem.

By Naa Lamiley Bentil/Ghana

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