Residents of Accra, who use the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange area at Circle, have expressed their frustrations about the stress they go through daily particularly in attempt to board vehicles to their various destinations.
Commuters who complained about the situation say the ongoing construction of the flyover has worsened vehicular and human congestion at the circle that connects to major parts of the capital.
Everyday, thousands of cars and people move within the area, but there is little space now due to the ongoing construction of the interchange which is expected to ease both vehicular and human congestion when fully completed.
But commuters say their frustration has been worsened by the haphazard arrangement and parking of vehicles as well as trading activities in the area.
Some passengers say they sometimes spend longer hours at circle waiting for their cars to move after struggling to secure spaces on board.
Others complained about the activities of pickpockets who take advantage of the traffic and human congestion to steal mostly cell phones, bags and others from them.
Some commuters who spoke to Citi News said anytime it rained, movement around the area becomes extremely difficult as they are compelled to walk through the mud and stagnant waters to board vehicles.
Others told Citi News they sometimes struggle either by the wayside or at the bus terminal, to locate the specific areas to board vehicles bound for their destinations.
“You come to the station and it’s very difficult to locate where to pick a car to your destination. When it rains it’s even worse’’ a commuter lamented.
Another said “it is very bad; they should just fix the problem. At least they should fix a shelter so that when the sun is scorching one can just relax for a while or even if it’s raining one can go there for shelter.
They should tidy the environment; there is rubbish everywhere and I am pleading with the authorities to do something about it’’.
It however appears that for now, commuters would have to endure the frustrations until the construction is completed.
Welfare Secretary of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, GPRTU, Omari Osei, told Citi News the challenge with the bus terminals has worsened due to the construction of the overpass. According to him, the Urban Roads Department has promised to fix some of the problems with the roads in the meantime to mitigate the frustrations of commuters and drivers alike, whiles contractors are also working speedily to complete the project.
“We have been assured by urban roads that they will fix the problem. If the bridge is completed, traffic will reduce drastically so we are taking them by their promise and we hope they will do it”.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Numo Blafo III, says the transport terminals at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle area, would be upgraded when the interchange is completed.
– By: Jessica Ayorkor Aryee/citifmonline.com
