Mankessim Roundabout Turns into Pothole Trap; Traders, Drivers Demand Urgent Repairs.

Traders and commercial drivers operating around the Mankessim Roundabout have raised alarm over the deteriorating condition of the road, as deep potholes and excessive dust continue to make movement difficult for motorists, pedestrians and businesses in the area.

A visit by Savika News to the roundabout today revealed several deep potholes along portions of the road, forcing drivers to slow down, manoeuvre around damaged sections and, in some cases, drive through dusty areas to avoid the worst spots.

The situation, according to traders and drivers, has become a major inconvenience and a potential danger to road users, particularly during busy periods when traffic builds up around the roundabout.

Some traders said the dust generated by vehicles passing through the damaged sections also affects their businesses, with dust settling on goods and creating an uncomfortable environment for both traders and customers.

The traders further explained that they are sometimes compelled to pay for the affected area to be watered whenever they want to reduce the amount of dust generated by passing vehicles.

One trader lamented, “We have been complaining about this road for some time now. The potholes are getting deeper, and whenever vehicles pass, they raise a lot of dust. It is affecting us and our businesses.”

The traders said the cost of watering the area has become an additional burden on them, as they have to spend their own money to control the dust despite already operating under difficult conditions.

“Sometimes, if we want the place watered to reduce the dust, we have to pay for it ourselves. We cannot continue doing this when the problem is with the road,” another trader said.

Drivers also expressed concern about the impact of the potholes on vehicles, saying motorists are often forced to make sudden manoeuvres to avoid the damaged portions of the road.

The drivers lamented that vehicles are now forced to scramble for the limited good stretch of the road, creating congestion and increasing the risk of accidents and collisions.

“Vehicles are now scrambling for the small portion of the road that is still in good condition. This is very dangerous because two vehicles can easily collide, especially when drivers are trying to avoid the potholes,” one driver said.

According to the drivers and traders, they have already brought the condition of the roundabout to the attention of the Municipal Chief Executive, but they are yet to see any concrete results.

“We have reported the problem to the Municipal Chief Executive, but up to now, we have not seen any serious action. We are appealing to the authorities to come and inspect the road and fix it before the situation becomes worse,” one driver said.

The affected traders and drivers are therefore calling on the municipal authorities and other relevant agencies to urgently intervene and rehabilitate the damaged portions of the road.

They believe prompt action will not only improve the movement of vehicles but also reduce the dust affecting businesses and make the roundabout safer for motorists, pedestrians and other road users.

Residents and road users are now hoping that the concerns raised will receive the necessary attention and that remedial works will begin before the potholes deteriorate further.