Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Lawyer Rockson Dafeamekpor, has intimated that the nation has not done much when it comes to drainage systems in the country.
Speaking on the recent floods which affected most parts of Accra, Mr. Dafeamekpor stated that although monies have been pumped into fixing the drainage systems, much has not been seen.
“Because, I recall Atta Akyea when he was minister under the first term of government, he asked that we needed the equivalent of $200 million to deal with drainage systems in Metropolitan Accra. That was the time that there was heavy flooding. So, between 2018 and 2022, what have we done as a nation dealing with the drainage system of Accra alone?”
Rockson Dafeamekpor
According to Lawyer Dafeamekpor, much hasn’t been done because the nation is slow in starting projects and very slow in completing them. This, he stated, is the challenge being faced by the nation, especially Accra.
“If we are desilting; what have we desilted to spend in excess of GHS450 million? It’s easy for us to compute how much we’ve spent but what about the effect of the job that we have done because the effect of spending GHS450 million in desilting the major drains of Accra, shouldn’t give us the effect of excessive flooding.”
Rockson Dafeamekpor
Nation does so many things at a time
Touching on the roads which are affected by the floods, Mr. Dafeamekpor averred that the nation does so many things at a time resulting in the inability to complete roads to serve the people. “When you come to my constituency, the Eastern Corridor has been on the drawing table for the past twelve years.”
According to the South Dayi MP, because most of the roads are uncompleted, when the rains come, it destroys the progress made thereby taking the work back. This, he posited, also affects users of these roads.
We are increasingly tolerating shoddy work from wrong people who are crying that they should be given the local content space to occupy but they are not delivering quality.”
Rockson Dafeamekpor
Mr. Dafeamekpor stated that the supervising engineers in charge of these roads should be held accountable for the shoddy works done which always gets destroyed after heavy rains. He added that it is time the nation begins to prosecute for shoddy works done on the roads and on public infrastructure.
“Because, if you are a supervising engineer and you go and collect money from a contractor and you don’t demand the quality or the standards for which the contract was awarded, then you are not serving the interest of the nation.”
Rockson Dafeamekpor
Recent floods in Accra worrying
Contributing to the discussion, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NADMO, George Ayisi, stated that the recent floods, especially in the capital is worrying. He indicated that the situation is also affecting everybody and must be dealt with.
“So, we are managing it; desilting, dredging, construction of covers and all that. So, the GHS450 million the minister said involves deep dredging and construction of some drains in Kumasi, Tamale and in Accra itself.”
George Ayisi
According to George Ayisi, continuous dredging and desilting is important in ensuring the floods are reduced. He stated that aside the rescue efforts for flood victims, government must address how the victims will also be catered to after being rescued or evacuated.
“Infact, yesterday our men were very busy. You’ve searched, you’ve rescued them and brought them to safety but beyond that, what is the support system for them?”
George Ayisi
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