Takoradi, June 27, GNA - The Dwira Traditional Area in the Nzema East District of the Western Region has been cut off from the rest of the country, following recent heavy rains that have rendered roads in the area inaccessible. The development has affected the social and economic lives of the people who are predominantly farmers.

Awulae Angama Tuagyan II, Omanhene of the area, told the GNA at Takoradi on Monday that large quantities of cocoa and foodstuffs have been locked up due to the deteriorating nature of roads. He appealed to the Department of Feeder Roads and the Ghana Cocoa Board to, as a matter of urgency, go to the aid of the people. Awulae Tuagyan also appealed to the Nzema East District Assembly and the Department of Feeder Roads to ensure that the contractor working on some of the major roads in the area completes the contracts as scheduled. He mentioned the Simpa-Junction-Nkroful, and Dwira-Enyinase-Tumantu-Dwira-Eshiem roads as some of the worse affected roads in the area.

Awulae Tuagyan said the contract was awarded for the construction of a number of bridges and culverts and reshaping of these roads about three years ago but the contractor had not been serious with the job. "Work so far done on the roads for the past three years suggests that the contractor is taking the people for a ride". He said efforts to trace the contractor had proved futile and suggested that the contract should be re-awarded to "a more serious contractor". Awulae Tuagyan also appealed to the COCOBOD to open a cocoa-purchasing depot at Dwira-Enyinase to serve farmers in Dwira, a major cocoa producing area.