In July 2017, over 1000 residents in Samreboi of the Amenfi West Municipality in the Western Region were displaced, as a result of flood. The Tano River and other tributaries had over flown its banks running into households and destroying properties.
The unfortunate and yet riskier circumstance to the rescue mission by the National Disaster Management Organisation at the time, was the inaccessibility of an octogenarian wooden bridge that was constructed by wood processing factory, Samartex Timber and Plywood Company Limited over the Tano river. The bridge, according to residents has not received any major renovation ever since it was constructed. Most wooden slippers have decayed and wiring strips loosened.
Following a review of the July 2017 floods, the bridge was to be decommissioned and reconstructed.
A follow-up with the Municipal Director for NADMO, Amenfi West, Agyei Kissi Osway revealed that this recommendation has not been operationalized.
Asked what had accounted for the delay, he said with despair “they are using it”, as no assurance have been made of government nor the company to rehabilitate the bridge.
“…but we’ve written to national for them to construct proper bridge. They fear the entire bridge will collapse any time soon” he told Skyy News’ Abraham Mensah.
He however mentioned that the company have been managing with some few wooden slabs to salvage it.
Mr. Osway disclosed that the municipal assembly with support of Samartex Timber and Plywood Company Limited have desilted drains and constructed some storm drains to avert the recurring floods in the area.
