Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has justified the controlled spillage of water from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams by the Volta River Authority (VRA), insisting that both dams would have been destroyed, leading to damning impact on communities.
Briefing Parliament today, November 8, 2023, on the spillage of water from the dams by the VRA that caused flood in parts of the Vola Region, he revealed that apart from preserving the dams, the controlled spillage also led to the protection of lives.
He however indicated that government along with the VRA are still observing the inflows and if it becomes necessary, they will engage in another spillage.
“The controlled spillage led to the preservation of lives, the Akosombo Dam and Sogakope Bridge… Thankfully no death has been recorded… If the VRA had not been proactive, the water would have overtopped the dam which would have had unimaginable catastrophe on the people… Spillage was the only option to ensure the safety of the dam.”
Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh
Commenting on relief intervention put in place by the VRA, Dr Opoku stated that since the controlled spillage began, VRA has sent various directors to the respective districts to monitor the progress of relief items consistently and the need for replenishment.
Additionally, he noted that monitoring teams from NADMO and VRA were also assigned to aid in the distribution of relief items to the various safe havens in the affected districts.
“In consultation with the government, VRA has disbursed GHC10 million which was subsequently increased to GHC20 million to assist NADMO in the provision of relief support for the affected communities… To help address any emanating health concerns, VRA and NADMO supported the district health directorate with medical supplies and teams…”
Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh
Government committed to supporting displaced communities
Furthermore, Dr Prempeh stated that following concerns brought up by displaced persons in the affected communities, report a monitoring mechanism has been established at the district level, to ensure that relief items are promptly delivered to the intended beneficiaries.
In light of this, he highlighted that government is committed to “ensuring that these relief efforts reach those in need and reach them promptly”.
Moreover, the energy minister on behalf of the ministry, VRA, and all allied agencies extended sincere sympathies to the communities affected by the flooding caused by the controlled dam spillage.
He noted that government recognizes the impact on their lives and livelihoods and the impact on the socio-economic fabric of the lower volta basin as well as the extended impact on other communities outside of that terrain.
“We want to reassure them we are in this together and we will exhaust all the resources necessary to ensure all of them are comfortably restored to their normal lives.”
Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh
Meanwhile, the Volta River Authority (VRA) has maintained that the right decisions and measures were taken by the Authority before and after the dam spillage to prevent a more disastrous situation.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the VRA, Emmanuel Antwi Darkwa, stated that the absence of fatalities in the recent spillage indicates that corrective actions were taken by its management before and after the incident.
He revealed that if the response mechanism had not been highly effective, the situation could have escalated significantly.
“We empathize with those who have been affected by this spillage. Those affected by this spillage are part of us; we have so many employees who come from these areas. Some of our plant managers come from Mepe, so when something happens to the people of Mepe it affects us. I’ve had the opportunity to go to the safe havens and really to move from your house and be relocated, however short it is, it is so traumatic.”
Emmanuel Antwi Darkwa
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