Minister Ocloo halts construction under Spintex overpass citing safety concerns

The Minister of Roads and Highways, Linda Ocloo, has ordered the immediate halt of an ongoing construction project directly beneath the Spintex Road overpass.

The minister personally intervened at the site, stating that the work posed significant and unacceptable risks. While the specific nature of the construction was not detailed in the initial report, Minister Ocloo emphasized that her decision was a precautionary measure driven by public safety.

“I had to stop the work due to potential risks,” the Minister stated, underscoring the priority of ensuring the structural integrity of the vital transport link and the safety of the public.

The Spintex Road corridor is a major artery in Accra, and any activity that could compromise the overpass raises serious concerns about traffic disruption and safety hazards. Authorities are expected to conduct a full technical assessment of the site and the intended project.

The contractor involved and the specific entity that commissioned the construction have not yet been named. Further details regarding the nature of the violations and the next steps are awaited from the Ministry and the Department of Urban Roads.

This development comes amidst a busy period for the Ministry, which is also currently addressing a deepening crisis in the cocoa sector, as President John Dramani Mahama has recently summoned a cabinet meeting focused on the industry.