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Momodou
Denmark
11824 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Aug 2006 : 23:26:59
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TOUBA SANCHABA HIGHWAY IMMOTORABLE
By Yaya Bajo
As the volume of rainfall increases significantly in the Greater Banjul Areas, Motorists have been plaqued by difficulty in plying roads in and out of Touba Sanchaba, a surburb of Sukuta in the Kombo North District. The highway that leads to the Sanchaba Central Market from the Bakoteh intersection, have been clogged with muddy water as a result of torrential rain experienced recently, thereby causing drivers and pedestrians immense difficulties in using the road.
Residents along this busy highway have their share of the road’s horrific situation as most of the compounds within the area have been seriously flooded, anytime there is a downpour. The perennial clogging of water ways along this highway has been attributed to poor planning and lack of a proper drainage system which resulted to piles of filthy mud setting along the road sides and making daily life activities very difficult for the residents and other business outlets along the street.
This reporter witnessed a scenario where a passenger vehicle locally referred to as “gele gele” had its entire wheels planted into the clogged muddy waters, forcing its passenger to disembark in the muddy waters. The frustrated and furious passengers finally had to retrieve their fares from the driver and furiously walk bare foot in the muddy waters to their various destinations. Ida Faye, one of the frustrated passengers, described the condition of the highway as “deplorable,” saying that this is what happens to them during every rainy season. She added that the condition of the road becomes moderately motorable only during the dry season but that the situation always turns bad at the commencement of the wet season. She, therefore, called on the relevant authorities to improve the condition of the road in order to ease the difficulties faced by the commuters and the residents of the area.
However, the brunt of the hardships caused by the road’s deplorable condition is borne by the drivers. Malick Sey a commercial van driver posited that their vehicles have been constantly developing mechanical hitches, mainly due to the dilapidated condition of the road. He further added that they realised little gain due to the excessive expenses incurred on repairs carries out on vehicles anytime they develop mechanical problems. He finally urged the Area Council to judiciously utilise their tax money and improve the condition of the road. Similar sentiments were expressed by other drivers who spoke to this reporter on the scene.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 68/2006, 21-22 August, 2006
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