Kumasi’s malfunctioning traffic lights are due to theft and vandalism – KMA boss

The Mayor of Kumasi, Sam Pyne, says most of the malfunctioning traffic lights in the Central Business District of Kumasi are due to theft and vandalism.

According to him, batteries and cables that ensure that the lights function properly are often stolen from the transformers which causes the light to break down.

Speaking on Ghanakoma morning show on Akoma 87.9fm in Kumasi, Sam Pyne said the rate at which the equipment was stolen “is overwhelming but we have engaged the police. Even though we had a formal engagement with them [police] we are now building a closer bond for them to help us out. Because it is going beyond the budget the government releases for the maintenance of traffic lights.”

He further explained that ground excavation was also another contributory factor to malfunctioning traffic lights.

The Mayor of Kumasi, emphasised that due to a lack of supervision after utility companies are given permits to put their wiring in the ground, they often dug haphazardly and sometimes cut the traffic cables without reinstating them.

Ridge to Santasi area and Amakom roundabout, children’s park area were high on the list of areas where batteries, controllers, and cables were constantly stolen.

“You put it, and they go and steal the batteries, they take away the cables. That junction in one and half years, we did it about two times. If you drive on that stretch almost all the signals are off not as a result of urban road’s negligence but stolen equipment”, he stated.

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