Hydrological Service Department needs GH¢320.000
to stop Accra floods
Accra, June 25, Ghanadot/GNA – Mr.
Wise Ametefe, Head of Drainage and Flood of the Hydrological
Service Department, on Thursday, said an amount of GH¢320.000
was needed to expand the big drains that serve Darkoman
Junction, Accra Academy School and the Kaneshie Market, to
avert the perennial flooding of these communities.
He stressed: “This will help open up drainage channels from
the Gbawe, through Mallam junction to Sakaman, to reduce the
extent of damage and human lost whenever there are floods.”
Mr. Ametefe made this known during a visit to some of the
areas that were affected by the last Friday’s night (June
19) floods by the Assessment and Inspection team of the
National Disaster and Management Organisation (NADMO) and
the Technical Committee members of Hydro Meteorological
Department, Relief and Reconstruction and Disease and
Epidemics team.
The floods claimed seven lives and caused massive
destruction to property. Some of the affected communities
the team visited include, Kaneshie First Light, Takoradi –Kaneshie
Station, Mataheko, Sakaman, Darkoman, Mallam and Gbawe.
Mr. Ametefe said designs for the project had been completed
and appealed to the government to release the funds for
immediate implementation, after the rainy season.
He also asked people who encroach on water ways to desist
from the act, which he said attributed to the floods.
Mr. Ametefe explained that the main drain serving the area
is 318 millimetres underground, but the activities of people
living around it had put a lot of pressure on it thereby
obstructing the flow of the water.
He said piles of rubbish also block the drains forcing water
to over flow its banks during a heavy downpour.
Mr. Ametefe said all structures on water ways would be
cleared to avert future disasters.
At the Kaneshie First Light, the drainage systems have been
blocked by a heap of plastic and other human waste.
Mr. Kofi Portuphy, NADMO Co-ordinator appealed to the public
to desist from building on water ways since their activities
are the main cause of floods in the city.
He said the situation was very pathetic and the risk too
high, adding that despite the problem people are still
building in flood prone areas especially around Dansoman and
called on the appropriate authorities to halt the land
developers immediately.
Mr. Portuphy asked the government to give NADMO the power to
pull down all illegal structures, which have become death
traps.
GNA
JA
