Report by Nana POKU
The Volta River Authority (VRA) has assured Ghanaians that there are no plans now to further spill water from the Akosombo dam.
This was announced by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Engineering and Operations at VRA, Ing. Edward Ekow Obeng Kenzo in Accra. This happened when he met the Press at the Ministry of Information to brief them of the efforts of his outfit, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and government to collectively work to assuage the plight of the flood victims in the Volta and Eastern regions.
Ing. Obeng Kenzo told the Journalists that it is not the case that the three arms have jointly been reluctant to provide relief items to the people in the affected communities. On the contrary, these bodies have lived up to their social responsibility to provide relief items which include: food, toiletries, oil, portable water, clothing, shelter, medicine, money and other necessities.
He indicated that the agencies involved are in the thick of affairs to restore the displaced communities at a scheduled time for them to restart their daily activities.
He announced that some communities that did not have pipe-borne water and electricity during the spillage have been fixed. Unfortunately, residents are temporarily housed in makeshift rooms, tents, and structures but all effort is being made to improve their situation.
He stated that VRA and NADMO are seeing to it that items donated are properly coordinated and distributed according to the working plan at a central collection point.
So far individuals, NGOS, Organizations, Churches, government, VRA, NADMO and co have donated various items and cash to contain the catastrophe to cushion the victims. The Deputy CEO stressed that it’s difficult to estimate the extent of damage after the spillage and for now the agencies cannot quantify and cost the destruction so far.
This can only be done after the water level has considerably gone down and proper assessment has been done. He appealed to the affected communities to exercise restraint while government and the agencies continue to assist them to solve the problems.
He also appealed to well-meaning Ghanaians, corporate bodies, NGOs and all philanthropists to come over and assist those affected.
Ing. Obeng Kenzo announced that proper situational analysis would be done to avoid such disastrous occurrences in the future. He also hinted that the question of resettlement or relocation would be extensively discussed and an antidote found.
On the issue of more assistance from VRA, he assured the nation that the organization would do more to make sure victims get adequate relief and respite. He used the opportunity to thank all institutions, individuals, organizations, agencies, churches, the Press, NGOs, etc, who have heeded the call to come to the aid of the unfortunate victims of the disaster.
