The Member of Parliament (MP) for the North Tongu constituency in the Volta Region Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has in alliance with other stakeholders provided some victims of the Akosombo spillage in the North Tongu constituency with alternative accommodation.
The alternative housing projects sponsored by the North Tongu MP and Partners fund is intended to house about 600 victims displaced by the spillage conducted on the 15th September 2023 by the Volta River Authority (VRA).
Major contributors to the project include the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, Fmr. President John Dramani Mahama, Rev. Eastwood Anaba, Hon. Alban S.K Bagbin, and the Chiefs of Mepe Traditional Area among many others.
The Akosombo Dam spillage, which has been the vilest in more than a decade, left many victims in its wake – most of whom have lost their homes and businesses to the flood.
Despite the alternative housing project recently provided by the Member of Parliament of the North Tongu constituency, over 10,000 victims of the spillage still remain homeless and are living in tents which provide little to no protection during harsh afternoons or rainy days.
The MP for the constituency, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in his address to the people during the unveiling of the second phase of the housing project on 10th February 2024 mentioned that the failure of the government to provide housing for the people several months after the spillage is appalling considering the damage the spillage has caused the constituent of North Tongu.
The MP pleaded with the government to come to the aid of the people by constructing more houses to accommodate the displaced victims.
“We are still waiting for the central government to commence the construction of resettlement homes”.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
The MP for the constituency further stated that the second phase of the housing project when completed would accommodate 300 more people in the Dagborme, Agbetikpo, Aveyime, Dorfor-Adidome, and Kodzoku townships.
He stated that the intention of the housing project is to return a bit of normalcy to the lives of the people.
Mr. Samuel Ablakwa also opined that it is atrocious for people to live like refugees in their own country, hence the need for the government expedite measures to provide solutions to the housing deficit occasioned by the Akosombo dam spillage in the affected areas.
Televise Probe into Akosombo Spillage
Meanwhile, Former President John Dramani Mahama commended the work done by the MP of the constituency and acknowledged the contribution of various individuals and institutions towards the project.
The Former President also declared his support for the Speaker of Parliament’s proposal to form a parliamentary committee to look into what has been described as the worst spillage conducted by the Volta River Authority (VRA) in more than a decade.
According to Mr Mahama, the probe into the spillage should be broadcast so that the public would get to know exactly what went wrong and what to avoid in case of another spillage in the future.
More so, the Fmr. President accused the government of being insensitive and irresponsive to the plights of the victims of the Akosombo spillage.
He thus urged the government to immediately set into action plans to resettle the victims as their current way of living is dehumanizing.
The residents in the townships of the North Tongu constituency affected by the spillage in an interview also asked for additional relief to enable them return life to normality after several months of living like ‘evacuees’.
They urged the Ghanaian public to assist their Member of Parliament through any means possible to provide them with accommodation especially with the imminent rainy season to begin shortly.
The residents acknowledged the efforts of the MP and showed their appreciation for his hard work and dedication to the people.
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