The Ghana Tanker Drivers Association says it has petitioned the Roads Minister, President John Dramani Mahama and the Energy Minister over the worsening condition of the Valco-Tema-Kpone road, but has received no response from any of the three offices.

The Association’s Chairman, George Nyawunu, said the group first wrote two separate letters to the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza, to draw attention to the deteriorating road network.

Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, August 31, Mr Nyawunu said the first letter was to formally register the association’s concerns, while the second was sent as a reminder after they received no response.

He described the failure of the Roads Minister’s office to respond as disrespectful to the association.

Mr Nyawunu said after receiving no response from the Roads Minister, the association petitioned the Office of the President about a month ago, but was yet to receive any feedback.

He said the association subsequently petitioned the Ministry of Energy on August 11 because the affected roads connect several oil refineries, including the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), as well as other fuel depots.

According to Mr Nyawunu, the situation has persisted despite the strategic importance of the Valco-Tema-Kpone corridor, which serves several major industries and warehouses.

He said government reportedly earns between GH¢200 million and GH¢300 million in taxes and levies every week from businesses operating along the corridor.

The Association Chairman said the worsening state of the road has placed a heavy burden on truck drivers, who use the route daily to transport goods and petroleum products.

He warned that if the government fails to provide a concrete response by the end of the week, the association will be forced to take action.

He further urged truck drivers across the country to be prepared to stop work once the association’s leadership gives the signal.

“Wherever you may be and the whistle is blown, stop immediately,” he cautioned.

The Valco-Tema-Kpone stretch has been under active construction for about three years, with truck drivers and other road users repeatedly raising concerns over its condition.

Residents lament

One of the major concerns expressed by some residents is the inconsistency of the contractor on site questioning the contractor’s approach to the project,

According to them, the work appears to lack direction.

They said that over the past three years, the contractor has repeatedly dug up different sections of the road without completing one section before moving on to another.

He said the trucks, which he claimed were parked there due to limited parking space at the Harbour, had turned parts of the already bad road into parking lots, worsening traffic and making movement difficult for commuters and drivers.