Residents of Gbullung and its environs in the Kumbungu District of the Northern Region have called on President John Dramani Mahama to, as a matter of urgency, construct the three major roads linking Gbullung to Kumbungu, Tolon and Nyankpala.
Over 1,500 residents, comprising the youth, nursing mothers, covered over eight kilometers from Gbullung through some communities to Kumbungu to present their petition to the District Chief Executive (DCE).
They also held placards with inscriptions like “John Stop Sleeping, we are also voting please,” “No road No vote.”
Speaking to Daily Guide, the secretary of the group, Seidu Safianu Zanchata, said residents of over 30 communities go through hell especially in the rainy season to get to various destinations due to the deplorable nature of the roads.
According to him, the three main roads, Gbullung-Kumbungu, Gubllung-Nyankpala and Gbullung-Tolon must be fixed by the authorities.
“In fact, the deplorable nature of the roads is causing social disharmony and destructing economic activities to make us poor.
“Workers and farmers in the area cannot go about their usual duties due to the state of the roads. Farmers have to travel to Tamale through Nyankpala to buy agricultural inputs and sell their agriculture produce but can hardly do so due to the nature of the roads.”
Mr. Seidu Safianu mentioned that government workers like teachers, nurses, among others, refuse postings to the area and the few that come to the communities face numerous challenges in the area.
“The processors in the area go through challenges in an attempt to send their rice for milling at Nyankpala.”
The youth of Gbullung and its environs, with support from the chiefs and elders, have given government a one-month ultimatum, which starts from 15th August, 2016 to address our grievances or else we will not vote come December 7, he stated.
Some youth, who spoke to Daily Guide, stated that they would ban political campaign activities in the area if the relevant authorities fail to fix their roads within the period.
District Coordinating Director of the Kumbungu District, Abdulia Issifu, who received the petition on behalf of the DCE, thanked the leaders of the demonstration for embarking on a peaceful march.
He assured the leaders that the petition would be presented to the Northern Regional Minister through the DCE.
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