Ursula Brings Relief To Residents; Commissions Bridge Over Chemu Lagoon

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma West Constituency Mrs Ursula Owusu Ekuful, with the support of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) has commissioned a floating bridge over the chemu lagoon to facilitate the movement of residents.

The bridge, which rises whenever the tidal waves rises has come as a relief to the entire communities of Chorkor and Shiabu.

Speaking at the official opening of the bridge, Mrs Owusu Ekuful said the need to take it upon herself to replace the hitherto wooden bridge was of much concerns to her among other developmental issues in the community.

”The construction of the bridge among other developmental issues is of much concern to me and my government, reason I stepped IN for this construction as we see today. There are a lot of things which will be done here, we need time, we have started with this floating bridge at the moment.

”We need a motorable bridge, we need access roads, we need more refuse containers, and we need a sustainable way of cleaning the environment so between the Ablekuma West Municipal Assembly, the AMA, the Ministry of Sanitation among other agencies can work together and clean up this space for more development.” she said.

The CEO of the Coastal Development Authority also outlined a series of programs the authority in collaboration with the Member of Parliament will be rolling out for fisherfolk in the community.

He mentioned that the Authority will be distributing outboard motors and other fishing gadgets to the fisherfolk at reduced prices and also the ‘ahotor’ micro-credit scheme which will provide cash to fisherfolks for their businesses.

Technology

Explaining the rational behind the construction, the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said the bridge was constructed by joining rectangular wood strips, strapped to one another in a sequence, over a number of empty barrels fitted together firmly with steel round pipe rails to prevent it from falling over.

He said the empty barrels provided the bridge with a floating ability to ensure that any time the lagoon overflowed its banks the bridge automatically rose or floated and returned to its current position when the floods subsided.

He further urged the residents to stop disposing refuse into the lagoon and also take proper care of the bridge.

4 More Years To Do More

Mrs Ursula Owusu Ekuful in her closing remarks charged the gathering to vote four more years for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the upcoming december elections as well as for her to retain her seat as Member of Parliament for the constituency.

According to her, four more years is needed for the current administration to advance the course of development in Ghana with respect to the Ablekuma West residents.

Responding to cheers from the residents, the legislator said her administration has built a solid foundation which must be maintained and expanded after the 2020 election.

”This area is potentially one of the most important destinations in our country and it cannot be a proper tourist area if we do not do something about the lagoon. That is why we have made this decision. The developmental projects of this government is why we need four more years for President Akufo-Addo and of course, Ursula Owusu to continue the good works.” she indicated.

Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful was joined by the Honourable Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong – Boateng who was the chief architect of the ‘floating bridge’ project.

The Honourable Municipal Chief Executive of the Ablekuma West Municipal Assembly, Mr. George Cyril Bray, the CEO of the Coastal Development, Mr. Jerry Ahmed Shaib and many other dignitaries were at the program.