We’re Ready To Avert Floods’

Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Alhaji Collins Dauda, has indicated the government’s readiness to institute practical measures to ensure free-flow of rivers and streams during this year’s heavy downpour.

According to him, government is committed to addressing floods that are caused by rains in flood-prone areas, particularly as the rains approach.

Against this background, Mr. Dauda disclosed that government has spent a total of $663 million on major drainage projects in Accra.

“We stakeholders are mindful of the rainy season hence we have put in place urgent measures for the free flow of rivers and streams,” Hon. Dauda told journalists during a familiarisation tour of some major drains in Accra last week Friday.

The tour first took the team to Achimota Mile 7 Drainage Project situated at Alogbotsi in Accra where the minister and officials of the Hydrological Services Department interacted with residents on the challenges they go through when there is flooding.

Hon. Dauda also drew attention of residents in Accra about dangers posed by indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains and gutters.

In this regard he appealed to residents to desist from the habit of littering and dumping wastes at unauthorised places.

He also appealed to the residents to stop burning of refuse in communal containers provided by waste management companies.

According to him, much dredging and desilting have been carried out with some of the drains walled on both sides.

He also appealed to communities, especially flood-prone areas, to liaise with them to desilt choked gutters that sometimes cause floods during rainy seasons.

For his part, the Assemblyman of Abofu Electoral Area in Alogbotsi, Mr. James Akogo, disclosed that four people lost their lives as a result of the floods in 2011.

Source: Today