Bureau of National Safety to Minister: Research on communities that need streetlights to avoid wastage of taxpayers money

The Bureau of National Safety has downplayed the Greater Accra Regional Minister’s ambitious plan to repair 70 percent of streetlights in the region within her first fifty days in office.

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Akweley Ocloo, announced a bold commitment to resolve key infrastructure issues within the region, particularly focusing on street lights.

In an interview with journalists on Monday, 3 February, the Minister announced a 50-day timeline to restore street lights across the city.

She is targeting that at least 70% of the lights should be fixed within the time frame.

Speaking to Asaase News, the Executive Secretary of the Bureau of National Safety, Nana Yaw Akwada, said while the initiative is commendable, a more measured approach is necessary given the country’s current financial situation.

“The approach of managing streetlights has over time proven unsuccessful. When street lights get broken, we erect another one; when its stolen, we erect another one; parts are vandalised. I think it is a complete waste of taxpayers money.”

“My word to the regional minister is don’t rush; I would advise her to put in place a research team of members of the National Road Safety Authority, the district assemblies, police and community members and areas where these street lights are going to be erected.”

He added, “They should come up with reasons why those street lights are constantly in shortage and once we know why these street lights do not last, we can put in place measures to ensure that when we commit the taxpayers money to some of these projects, they are used in a more sustainable manner.”

Another Ashaiman resident mentioned that robberies occur in the area as a result of the lack of street lighting.

“If they fix the streetlight, it will be good because at night some guys steal other people’s motocycles; if there were streetlights, such incidents wouldn’t be so rampant.”

 

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