[rev_slider alias=”Government Flood Control Programme Impacts Several Communities”]
The Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye has recounted the flood mitigations interventions undertaken by the Ministry, which have ultimately impacted several communities that were hitherto vulnerable to the flood menace.
Addressing the press yesterday in Accra, the sector Minister disclosed that NFCP has seen flood mitigation measures implemented in several communities in Kuntunse Satellite, Achimota Mile 7, Katamanso, Mamprobi, Abeka-Ayigbe Town, Larbadi Olympia, Tse-Addo, Teshie Yoomo Specs, and Nungua (United Church Area). Other communities are Haatso, Madina Firestone, Madina Mayehot, Madina Redco, Madina Oblogo, Dome Crossing, Santa Maria (Plus FM and Washing Bay Area), Mallam-Gbawe, Weija GEICCEL, Kasoa Iron City, Kasoa Obom and Ashaiman, among others communities across the country.
With Government having committed about GH450 million under the 2018 and 2020 National Flood Control Programme (NFCP), to mitigate perennial flooding especially in Accra, the sector Minister disclosed the government’s resolve to further address the problem with the implementation of both the 2022 NFCP programme as well as the GARID Project which will have an overall objective of mitigating flood risk as well addressing the challenges associated with solid waste management.
“The Ministry has begun processes to commence the implementation of the 2022 NFCP programme as well as the GARID Project, and these projects will have an overall objective of mitigating flood risk as well addressing the challenges associated with solid waste management”. The Minister added.
As part of the numerous projects under the GARID Project, Asenso-Boakye explained that the Ministry will be adopting an innovative approach towards the existing dredging routine known as performance-based dredging, where a contractor will be paid primarily according to performance of the drainage channel and not simply by the volumes dredged.
Having completed the detailed engineering designs for the construction of priority drainage interventions at Kaneshie, Nima and Achimota, the sector Minister expressed optimism about the commencement of structural works of the GARID project by the end of the year 2022.
Other important interventions include the construction of retention ponds in Atomic area to hold large volumes of water which would have otherwise flowed towards the city centre to cause flooding. Construction of the ponds are expected to commence by the end of the year.
Touching on measures being undertaken to alleviate the daunting effects of flooding and its impact on lives, livelihoods and properties, Asenso-Boakye indicated plans by government to install Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) in flood prone areas to give advance notice for people to take steps to protect their lives and their valuables, adding that “the designs for FEWS for Accra have been completed and the processes leading to the engagement of a service provider to it have commenced.’’