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| The monstrous curve at Asitey that has claimed many lives.....but which is still not being given attention |
The
spot located at Asitey, a suburb of Odumase in the Lower Manya Krobo District,
has proven deadly over the years claiming several lives and injuring others but
have never received any attention.
Information
made available to the Daily Graphic by a source at the Korletsom Police Station
at Odumase indicated that a total of 49 accidents were recorded since the year
2005, out of which 104 people sustained serious injuries and fourteen lives
lost. In the year 2005, two cases were recorded, three lives were lost and six
injured. There were five case in the year 2006, three deaths and nine injuries
while 2007 recorded four, two and seven in that order.
The
year 2008 registered 16 cases, seven deaths and 49 injuries while 2009 saw
seventeen cases, one death and 23 injuries. The source, however, added that
“these are only those officially brought to the notice of the police, majority
of which were recorded during the day” This was confirmed by most of the
residents interviewed.
Statistics
made available on the type of vehicles involved in the accidents revealed that
there were 22 tipper trucks, 17 mini buses, seven taxi cabs, one cargo truck
and two KIA pick ups.
In
an exclusive interview with the Lower Manya Krobo District Chief Executive
(DCE) disclosed that even though he was aware of the condition, the assembly
has done nothing since he assumed office. He was however, optimistic that
something could be done. Adding that “the officials of the Ghana Highway
Authority would be contacted to arrest the situation”.
When
contacted for his comments, the Konor of the Manya Krobo Traditional area Nene
Sakite II said efforts have been made over the past 10 years to bring the
disturbing situation under control. He noted that the District Assembly and the
Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) have been prompted on several occasions but none
has proven positive. “The onus lies on these institutions since we at the
traditional council are not the spending officers.”
Mr.
Joseph K Agyepong, the Eastern Regional Director of the GHA indicated that even
though his outfit was aware of the existence of the said curve, the rate of
accidents at the spot, has not been brought to its notice. He, however,
expressed the hope that the situation will be studied and the appropriate
recommendations made to arrest the situation. He stressed that inadequate funds
is hampering the work of the GHA in the region. He was of the belief that
drivers' disregard for road traffic rules and regulations is a possible cause
of the numerous accidents. But some residents have a contrary opinion that the
accidents have a spiritual dimension.
Narrating
her plight to the Daily Graphic at her residence, Ms Dede Kosi, a survivor of
one of those accidents which happened about twelve years ago, and who is
virtually incapacitated as a result of the amputation of her right leg said her
life and that of her dependents have been rendered miserable and this has
almost collapsed her otherwise vibrant business.
She disclosed that in the said accident six
other passengers' apart from those who were maimed, died on the spot when a KIA
trade vehicle in which they were traveling was ran into by a tipper truck that
suffered a break failure while descending the steep heel.
According to her, their car was bulldozed into
the ditch to the right of the curve at Asitey Kordjornya leading to the death
and injury of passengers on board both vehicles.
As if to worsen her plight, her insurance
claim proved futile as the vehicle she was traveling on was not insured. “I had
to depend on members of my church for treatment she added.
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