Story by Moses Anaba
A toilet facility at the Bongo Soe market square in the Bongo District has been locked and rendered useless since it was completed in 2017, thereby leaving traders and patrons stranded when they visit the market and need to attend to nature’s call.
The facility, constructed under the Peter Ayinbisa regime as Bongo District Chief Executive, is said to have been completed and was not officially handed over by the contractor and never commissioned for public use.
Residents and market women say the situation has become a major concern, particularly because the market currently depends on an old toilet facility which they describe as being in poor condition.
According to them, the Bongo-Soe market serves a large number of people and requires adequate sanitation facilities to meet the needs of traders, patrons and residents.
Speaking on the issue, John Ayivoore, a volunteer member of the Bongo Soe community, said the new facility has been completed since 2017 but has still not been opened for use.
He questioned why a facility constructed with public funds would remain locked when the community is struggling with inadequate sanitation facilities.
Mr. Ayivoore said the existing toilet at the market is in a deplorable state and is no longer attractive to many people.
He noted that residents had hoped the change in government would lead to the facility being opened and put to use, but the situation has remained unchanged.
“If there is any problem with the facility, the community members need to be informed.” He said.
He appealed to the current Bongo District Chief Executive, Diana Asoketarige Ayamga, and the relevant authorities to intervene and ensure that the facility is made available to the public.
A market woman and resident of the area, Monica Agandaa, popularly known as “Assibi Koko,” also expressed concern about the situation.
She said the community is facing not only inadequate toilet facilities but also challenges with access to water.
According to her, the old toilet facility is in poor condition, while the newly constructed facility has remained locked since its completion.
Madam Agandaa said the lack of accessible and usable toilet facilities is forcing some residents and market users to resort to open defecation, a situation she described as unacceptable and harmful to public health.
Residents and market users are now calling on the Bongo District Assembly and other relevant authorities to clarify why the facility has not been opened and to take the necessary steps to make it operational.
They believe putting the completed facility into use would significantly improve sanitation conditions at the Bongo Soe Market and reduce the pressure on the existing toilet facility.
For traders and residents, the expectation is simple: a completed public toilet facility should serve the public.
Bolga FM/102.7MHz/Moses Anaba/Bolgatanga
