The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Ms Linda Akweley Ocloo, has expressed satisfaction over the newly-installed and repaired streetlights in some parts of the region.
She said about 126 malfunctioning streetlights have so far been fixed within the first 50 days of her tenure.
Some notable streets with improved lighting in Accra are the George Bush Highway, Independence Avenue, Nima Highway, Professor J.E Atta Mills Highway, 28th February Road, and ACP Pokuase Interchange.
This progress, she said, fulfilled her pledge to ensure that 70 per cent of the streetlights within the capital were illuminated to promote safety as Tuesday marked exactly 50 days since that promise.
Announcing this at a press conference in Accra, the minister said there had been significant progress in the implementation of the Accra lighting project, indicating the government’s commitments to improving visibility and enhance security in the country
“Generally, the implementation has been successful in many areas, with numerous roads and highways now well-lit, improving security and visibility for residents,” she remarked.
“Even though we have met the target, it doesn’t mean that from today, we are relaxing, we have to make sure that we complete everything,” she said.
She added that the Tema Motorway and Accra-Tema Beach Road remained unlit due to ongoing construction works.
“There is maintenance works on streetlights on portions on the N1 (Tetteh Quarshie to Kasoa), N6 (Achimota to Amasaman) and N4 (Shiashie to Oyibi) by the Ghana Highways Authority and the contractor is on site with works ongoing on-site,” she added.
Despite the significant progress, the Minister said streetlight cable theft remained the major challenge while efforts were being made to illuminate the region, saying it hampered sustainability.
This act, she said, posed a major setback for the sustainability of the streets remaining lighted, appealing to all citizens to be patriotic and safeguard public infrastructure warning that anyone caught stealing these vital components would face severe consequence.
She also cautioned advertisers to seek permits and support from MMDAs to avoid disrupting underground cables that supplied power to the streetlights.
This funding boost, she said, would enable MMDAs to augment their resources, ensuring that streetlights remained operational all the time to ensure a safer and more secure environment for all.
On behalf of cthe oordinating directors in Accra, the Municipal Coordinating Director, LaDMA, Daniel Nkrumah, expressed appreciation to the minister for ensuring that their streets were illuminated.
Working within the confines of the law, Mr Nkrumah assured the nation that the coordinating directors would continue to support the minister, to ensure the satisfaction of every citizen.
Accompanied by the Chief Director, Regional Coordinating Council, Mrs Lilian Baeka, Coordinating Director Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly, Mr Douglas Annoful, Coordinating Director Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Mr Emmanuel Baisi, each with their team and journalists, the minister toured parts of the capital to inspect the newly installed streetlights.
