The ongoing issue of darkness along the Tema Motorway has been attributed to theft and vandalism, according to the Ministry of Roads and Highways. Nasir Ahmad Yartey, the head of Public Relations at the Roads Ministry, provided an update on the situation during an interview with Bernard Avle on the Citi Breakfast Show on Citi FM.
Yartey highlighted the repeated instances of repair work carried out on the streetlights along the motorway, only to have them vandalized shortly thereafter. He emphasized the need for both authorities and citizens to take responsibility for protecting state properties, including the streetlights.
Addressing the issue, Yartey stated, "Authorities have some responsibilities and citizens also bear the biggest part of the responsibility to protect state properties because, more often than not, we have had the occasion to replace streetlights on the Motorway more than six different times."
He further explained, "We procure, they install, and within a period of three to six months, they are gone. People have made it their business to always vandalize streetlights and traffic lights and it is a big challenge as to how to stop it."
The call for vigilance and cooperation from citizens was a key point in Yartey's message. "Within the twinkle of an eye, almost all the streetlights are gone. People run into them and whenever we restore the streetlights, the components are stolen overnight and it is a challenge as to how to safeguard these streetlights for the benefit of all of us and so we must educate one another to protect this infrastructure," he urged.
The Ministry's efforts to address the issue reflect the significance of this ongoing problem. As discussions continue on how best to tackle theft and vandalism along the Tema Motorway, it is evident that a collective approach involving both authorities and citizens will be essential in finding a lasting solution.
-source citinewsroom | curated by Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
