The Honourable Emmanuel Tobbin, Member of Parliament for Anyaa-Sowutuom, has reiterated his call for authorities to prioritise public safety by repairing malfunctioning street and traffic lights across the country.
He emphasised that the current state of these essential utilities poses a severe threat to the Ghanaian public.
The lawmaker highlighted alarming statistics indicating that only 13 per cent of traffic lights nationwide function properly.
Meanwhile, 45 per cent are only partially operational, and the remaining 42 per cent are completely non-functional.
He lamented that this widespread failure is a major contributor to the rising number of road fatalities and pedestrian knockdowns.
According to Hon. Tobbin, the situation is particularly critical within his own constituency, where children and students are at high risk.
He recounted tragic incidents where students lost their lives because drivers, emboldened by the lack of functioning signals, frequently speed through intersections without stopping.
Addressing the logistical challenges, the MP explained that the high cost of traffic light infrastructure makes it difficult to fund such repairs through his Common Fund alone.
Consequently, he has personally petitioned the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Department of Urban Roads, and the Ministry of Finance to solicit urgent intervention.
“We are hoping that authorities will respond to our appeals and support us. The situation is similar in other constituencies, but what is happening in my constituency is alarming, and we need urgent help. Just recently, residents in Awoshie and Anyaa Last Stop held demonstrations following the constant knock-downs of students in the area. That is why I raised these concerns in Parliament, which generated interest from my colleague MPs. They also had similar concerns to share, and I think this is a national matter.”
To expedite solutions, he proposed that the government empower various assemblies to award local contracts for the repair and maintenance of lights within their respective jurisdictions.
He further urged authorities to ensure that all newly installed equipment meets high-quality standards to ensure durability.
Beyond government intervention, Hon. Tobbin stressed the importance of civic responsibility.
He called on the public to remain vigilant against individuals who steal, destroy, or tamper with electrical infrastructure, urging citizens to apprehend such vandals and hand them over to the police.
“Some Ghanaians are evil and steal parts of our street and traffic lights. We have to be vigilant as Ghanaians and watch out for those who engage in such acts and have them punished in accordance with the laws of Ghana.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
