
GENERAL
Abandoned Asonge-Pelungu road will be one of my priorities- UER Minister-designate

Date Created : 1/29/2025 12:00:00 AM : Story Author : Gilbert Azeem Tiroog/Ghanadistricts.com
He said the deplorable nature of the road was not only impeding the movement of people but also affecting economic activities and development potentials of the district and the region at large.
“Surely, if I become the regional minister, the rehabilitation of the Asonge-Pelungu road would be one of my top priorities because it has a certain connection to the tourist attractions in our region and improving it would boost economic activities and facilitate the movement of people,” he said.
Mr. Akamugri made the remarks when he appeared before the Parliament’s Appointment Committee in Accra.
He also noted that there was only one major highway connecting Tamale in the Northern region to Bolgatanga in the Upper East region and this posed a challenge, especially in situations of conflict, people find it difficult to escape danger or navigate their way to safety.
Mr. Akamugri said when approved, he would engage the Minister of Roads and Highway to explore the possibility of building an overpass along the highway.
“Given the region’s vulnerability to conflict, it is crucial to have alternative routes that could help people evade danger, hence improving the road network would make it easier for people to move freely and safely,” he added.
The Asonge-Pelungu road is an earth road constructed in 1957 as a major route linking communities in the Zoliba and Sakoti electoral areas to the main Bolgatanga- Bawku highway.
In 2018, the government awarded the road on contract with work scheduled to begin in May 2018 and to be completed by May 2019.
However, by 2020, the contractor had constructed only a few of the bridges before abandoning the site.
On June 20, 2022, the Member of Parliament for Nabdam, Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, filed a question in Parliament asking Mr. Amoako Atta, the then Minister of Roads and Highways for an update on the status of the 7.5 km Asonge-Pelungu road.
The Minister at the time acknowledged that the Asonge-Pelungu road was an earth road and in poor condition and added that the Feeder Roads Department had begun the necessary procedures to terminate the contract and to repackage the project, since the contractor had abandoned the site despite receiving several warning letters.