Bawku (U/E), Sept 9, GNA - More than 100 articulated trucks transporting perishable goods to land locked countries in the sub-region through Kulungugu in the Bawku East District have been held up in Bolgatanga and Bawku.

This is because part of the bridge linking Ghana and Burkina Faso at the area has collapsed due to excessive flooding. Trucks transporting goods into the country from the other side of the frontier have also been held up. Goods being transported from Ghana include sugar, medicine, flour, salt and onions.

Part of the bridge craved in as a result of the vandalising of the panel connector pins supporting. The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Hajia Fati Seidu, speaking after assessing the situation called for the immediate reconstruction of the Bailey bridge, constructed in 1996 for the resumption of normal business.

She stressed the importance of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Treaty, which calls for the free movement of persons, goods and services, which must not be impeded. The drivers were later advised by Customs officials, to use the route through Paga via Pugu but they refused since the owners of the goods did not make provision for them to go through the Paga route which they say is much longer.

They explained that apart from the cost involved, the Paga route is narrow and not good for heavy vehicles. Bawku Mr Islam Subiri Issah, Regional Director of the Ghana Highways Authority (GHA) said measures have been initiated to rectify the situation as soon as possible. He said messages have been sent to the Bridge

Maintenance Unit of GHA at Techiman for the repair of the bridge. The Deputy Regional Minister later visited the barracks of the Prisons Service at Bawku housing 17 officers and their families, which collapsed at the weekend.

According to DSP Daniel Owusu, six officers and their families have so far found alternative accommodation while the others and their families are putting up with friends and sympathisers. The barracks, which was built in 1932 by the Swiss government, have never seen any major renovation. He appealed to government, NGOs and individuals