The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has warned that another spillage of the Akosombo Dam without resettlement of the victims of the first spillage will be catastrophic since many are still living in tents.
He has called for urgent action ahead of spillage of Akosombo Dam as he reveals some victims of disaster occasioned by the earlier spillage are still living in tents
The VRA has announced a community engagement ahead of a controlled spillage soon.
But speaking during the presentation of the business statement for next week on the floor of parliament, Ablakwa revealed the exercise is scheduled for August one per his checks at the VRA.
He questioned why a Parliamentary probe instituted by the Speaker Alban Bagbin has not been done for lessons to inform the next spillage.
“Mr Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I remind you and this house that it has been 10 good months since the September 15 spillage which unleashed untold devastation. More than 60,000 people were displaced in my constituency more than 12,000 were displaced. We filed a motion, Mr Speaker assured us that there will be a committee of inquiry so that most importantly we learn lessons. I am not too fixated on any sanction or punishment per se that is not our interest. Best practices all over the world, when disaster of such nature occur they carry out a probe so that it will lead to institutional reforms, so that there will be far-reaching recommendations so that lessons can be learnt so that it would be avoided.
“As we speak, there are people still living in tents. If you go to Mepe Degomey Camp 1, Mepe Degomey Camp 2, there are hundreds of or fellow citizens still living in tents. So those living in tents who lost their properties, Mr Speaker how do you think they see us if they hear there’s going to be spillage soon. Indeed, my follow ups show that the spillage is going to be as soon as 1st August. That is what I am picking up from my usual deep throat impeccable sources.”
MP for Oforikrom Dr. Emmanuel Marfo demanded the sector minister be dragged to parliament over the development.
His call was supported by MP for Okaikwei Central Patrick Yaw Boamah, given plight of the victims who are still sleeping rough.
MP for Asuogyaman Ampem Nyarko who has already filed an urgent question on the matter pleaded with the speaker to summon the ministry.
Deputy majority chief whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh consequently stated parliament will hold a closed door engagement with the ministry for Energy over the matter.
Heavy downpours in the Lower Volta area of Ghana led to the worst flooding in the region’s history. The flooding was caused by a spillage (a deliberate release of water) from the Akosombo Dam, the country’s biggest hydroelectric dam. Over 26,000 people were displaced. No deaths have been officially announced. The last recorded spillage was in 2010.
The Volta River Authority, the state agency that manages the Akosombo Dam, opened the flood gates to release pressure on the dam after unusually high rainfall. By September, Volta Lake, the vast, 400km-long reservoir behind Akosombo Dam, had been filled to capacity. A month after the spillage started, communities along the Volta River were severely affected by the excess water.
Local residents fled to safety, leaving behind most of their belongings. Farms were submerged and crops destroyed. The inventory of stores and businesses in low-lying areas suffered extensive damage.
Source: Kasapafmonline.com
