The National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region has expressed its deepest concerns about the devastating effects of the spillage of the Akosombo dam by the Volta River Authority over the lives and properties of the affected communities in the region.
According to the party, the spillage of the dam has affected five constituencies including Central Tongu, South Tongu, North Tongu, Keta and Anlo among several communities within the region.
In a statement signed by the party’s Regional Secretary, James Gunu, the party indicated that it is very worried about the ramifications of the event on human health, livelihoods and sustenance of lives in the affected communities.
“The Volta Regional National Democratic Congress has noted with deep worry, the devastations to lives, and properties in a total of one hundred and one communities in five constituencies, along the Volta Lake due to the uncontrolled spillage of the Dam by the Volta River Authority (VRA). As a result, we are concerned about the implications on health, livelihoods, and sustenance of the lives of the affected people”.
James Gunu
The party thus, is calling on the Volta River Authority to as a matter of urgency stop the spillage with immediate effect until adequate safety measures are put in place before any further spillage.
“Minute after minute, the devastations are expanding as the spillage continues, and we find it necessary as a party in the Region to call the attention of the Authority and government to intervene. We are not oblivious to the need to safeguard the Dam due to excess water. But, what we have seen this year before the spillage is unacceptable”.
James Gunu
NDC Accuses VRA Of Lack Of Stakeholder Engagements
The National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region further accused the Volta River Authority of its inability to engage the people within the affected communities before opening the dam.
According to the party, unlike in the past when the Volta River Authority engaged communities at the banks of the river before it opened the dam, this year it failed to do so, the reason the spillage has overwhelmed many of the communities.
“In the past, VRA took the opportunity to engage in proper stakeholder engagements and sensitization of communities along the banks of the Volta Lake. This year, little of this has been done, leaving the people in shock when they began experiencing floods in their homes”.
James Gunu
Moreover, the National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region also berated the lack of commitment on the part of the government to provide support to the affected communities in such difficult times.
It therefore, called on the central government to, as a matter of urgency put in measures to help meet the emergency needs of the affected communities as the damages caused are beyond individual support.
According to the National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region failure on the part of the government to put in measures to address the devastating effects of the spillage on the affected communities will spell danger for the very survival of the people living in these communities.
“The spillage has resulted in power cuts in affected communities. The Adidome Hospital has been affected by the power cut, leaving individuals in need of medical care in severe danger. The resultant floods have affected access to communities as roads have been cut off leaving commuters stranded with others resorting to the use of boats and canoes which further endangers their lives. As a party, we want to express our deepest solidarity with the affected persons in these communities, while we hope for immediate intervention to curb any further devastation of lives and properties”.
James Gunu,
The spillage of the Akosombo dam by the Volta River Authority on Wednesday, October 11 2023 has led to a flood, putting hundreds of people and many communities in the Volta Region in dire need.
Significant losses have resulted from the overflow, and some people are frantically trying to salvage their items and flee to higher ground for safety.
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