Tema, June 30, GNA - Four days of continuous rains have exposed the shoddy work done on some of the principal roads in the Tema metropolis, leading to the creation of manholes which have collected stagnant water making driving difficult. The conditions of the roads have slowed down traffic as drivers have to meander to get to their destinations. The most affected areas are the frontage of the OLAM Senior High School, the street in front of former VAT office at Community Five, behind the Tema Metropolitan Assembly, the city centre at community one, the under bridge at Ashaiman, Tema Manhean, community 20 and parts of community five.

A visit by the GNA to parts of the city on Monday showed that most drains were choked with refuse and silt, while some were almost covered by activities of big trucks, which park on them thus making it very difficult for free flow of water. Officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in Tema told the GNA that the water levels in community 20 went high during the raining period, leading to some roads in the community becoming unmotorable, forcing residents to use alternative routes which were not convenient.

Mr Abraham Reynolds, NADMO Municipal coordinator said at Manhean a drain had it side broken leading to flood water entering residential areas forcing people to remain in their rooms. He said sand bags would be made and placed at the broken side of the drain as a temporary measure to control the flood, after which the drains would be repaired.

Mr Reynolds advised residents to be very cautious in their daily activities and refrain from dumping refuse in drains and gutters, to allow free flow of water as well as listen to expert advised for not building on waterways.

While some residents called for constant cleaning exercises in the communities by assembly members, some drivers have also appealed to the authorities to tar the roads, instead of the patches that are currently going on as that would not solve the problem but only amount to waste funds.