The Member of Parliament for the North Tongu constituency in the Volta Region, Honorable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has lamented over the government’s lack of concern on the resettlement of persons displaced by floods resulting from the spillage of the Akosombo dam.
Addressing the press in Mepe, Mr Ablakwa indicated that he is yet to see any efforts on the part of the government to provide dignifying accommodation for victims whose houses were crumbled.
According to the North Tongu legislator, several weeks into the devastating damages occasioned by the Akosombo dam spillage it appears President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party administration have made no plans on the resettlement of victims whose houses have been pulled down by the floods with the displaced victims still stuck in the various camps under very uncomfortable conditions.
“I want to say emphatically, that four weeks into this disaster, it is unacceptable that the government has not provided us with a resettlement plan. Four weeks of people living in congested classrooms under inhumane conditions and the government remains silent as if it is normal. How long will it take the government to announce a resettlement policy for the VRA-induced floods?”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
The Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Parliament described the government’s lack of concern amidst the flood disaster occasioned by the Akosombo dam spillage as ‘disrespectful, unconscionable and unacceptable’.
Ablakwa Demands Action From VRA
Moreover, the Honorable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa expressed his disappointment with the Volta River Authority (VRA) for failing to commence an action to compensate the victims of the flood resulting from the spillage of the Akosombo dam.
He chastised the Volta River Authority for its failure to take initial measures to prevent the unfortunate destruction of livelihood and the displacement of people.
The North Tongu lawmaker issued a one-week ultimatum to the government and indicated that if the government refused to act the consequence on the government would be ‘unpleasant’.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh and the Management of the Volta River Authority (VRA) are expected to appear before Parliament on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, to brief the house on the Akosombo Dam spillage and its devastating effects on communities along the Volta River basin.
According to the Manhyia South Member of Parliament, his outfit will provide the necessary information and details regarding the Akosombo and Kpong dams’ spillage that resulted in the flooding of some communities in the Volta, Eastern and Greater Accra Regions to Parliament.
“Even though VRA is under the Ministry of Energy, we take responsibility. It is a national disaster, an emergency. It is not only affecting people in the South. I would have requested even more time, but since this house also needs to be informed about what is going on and the government’s response activities, I am not the lead government agency. There is an inter-ministerial advisory team, but we will take responsibility and come to inform you about what VRA has done and hasn’t done once we have completed everything… And I do pledge that if it is next week Wednesday, I will be here with VRA”.
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh
There have been countless agitation and calls from civil society groups, pressure groups, traditional leaders and individuals on government and the Volta River Authority to rollout a plan for the integration of the victims and the restoration of livelihoods for the affected communities of the Akosombo dam spillage weeks after the Akosombo dam spillage flood waters recede.
There have even been calls on the government to relocate the displaced people to the Saglemi housing facility however government is yet to respond.
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