[rev_slider alias=”ADDRESSING PERENNIAL FLOODING: HON. ASENSO-BOAKYE BRIEFS PARLIAMENT ON PROJECTS”]
The Minister for Works and Housing, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye has assured residents of flood prone communities of government’s commitments to ensure that the needed drainage infrastructure are provided to alleviate the occurrences of perennial flooding associated with the onset of the rainy season.
The Minister said, even though government continue to invest in the country’s drainage systems, the purpose of the projects has been compounded by inappropriate human behaviors such as indiscriminate disposal of solid waste substance, construction in waterways in the midst of increasing rate of urbanization and climate change, thereby exposing many areas in the capital to the risk of flooding.
Answering questions on the status of drainage projects around New Achimota overhead within the Okaikwei North Constituency on the floor of Parliament, Asenso-Boakye disclosed that the Ministry of Works and Housing, under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project will soon commence the reconstruction of a 900-meter length of drain extending from the N1 Road Bridge to the new Achimota Bridge.
The project, the Minister explained, will include the redesign and re-construction of the damaged slabs at Abofu as well as the expansion of the drain’s capacity to hold more storm water to reduce the risk of flooding in the community.
The Minister further noted that community upgrade works notably, construction of tertiary drains are earmarked for construction in Alogboshie, a surbub within the constituency, adding that “procurement for the construction of the works is currently on-going and it is expected that the actual construction will begin in the second quarter of this year.”
On measures being made to fix drainage systems in the Madina Municipality, Hon. Asenso-Boakye said while desilting works are currently ongoing in Madina and Adenta Sakora enclave, other communities in the municipality, namely, Madina Zongo, Madina Mayehot, Madina Redco and Madina Ritz have been selected for drainage projects by the Ghana Hydrological Authority under the Public Investment Plan (PIP) for Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) 2023-2026 Budget, assuring that construction will commence once budget is approved and funds released.
Explaining plans by the Ministry towards the dredging of the silted portion of the River Volta which makes it difficult for the Keta/Anloga Lagoon to release its excess water whenever the Barge Dam is opened, the sector Minister said following assessment by engineers from the Ghana Hydrological Authority, the blocked channel of the Anyanui Creek by a sand barrier to the inlet channel of the Volta river estuary needs to be dredged to allow flow from Keta Lagoon into the sea, noting that, the Ministry will continue to engage the Finance Ministry to secure funding and take the necessary steps to protect the people of Anlo and other areas across the country at the risk of perennial flooding.
Hon. Asenso-Boakye appealed to stakeholders, including Parliament, traditional leaders, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, and the citizenry to assist government in its efforts to curb incidence of perennial flooding. “As we anticipate the rainy season, it has become more important to ensure proper disposal of solid waste substances and avoid building in unauthorized areas, particularly in waterways to curb the floods across the country”. The Minister added.