The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Lesta, has reassured victims of the Akombo Dam spillage of the government’s commitment to resettle them in new structures and ensure the restoration of their livelihoods.
This comment follows a series of comments by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and former President John Mahama alleging that more than 10,000 people are yet to be resettled months after the unfortunate disaster.
In response to these claims, the regional minister outlined the government’s efforts to put up new structures for the victims. He said that the government has released the funds needed to undertake the project and set up a committee, which is working assiduously with local chiefs to procure lands for the project.
“The DCEs are now liaising with the chiefs, and we set up the committee last week and gave them a week to identify the site for the resettlement. I briefed the Member of Parliament [Mr. Ablakwa] on Wednesday when I met him. After that, the next phase is also the restoration of livelihoods. It would be unfortunate to say that nothing is being done.”
Dr. Archibald Lesta
The North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, had stated on 12th February, during the commissioning of housing units for some 300 victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage that it was unfortunate the government has neglected the victims to their fate five months after the disaster. He encouraged the President to remember his oath to be fair to all manner of persons and provide shelters for the many victims yet to be settled as the tents being used now are uncomfortable for the victims.
Also, at the commissioning of the housing units for 300 affected persons of the spillage was the Mankralo of the Mepe Traditional Area, Togbe Kwasi Negi VI, who lamented that they are yet to see the funds the Volta River Authority claimed to have provided for the flood victims.
He, therefore, called on the inter-ministerial committee to conduct an immediate investigation into the matter and accused the same committee of distancing itself from the realities of the people as none of the members had been on the ground since the President’s last visit.
Okudzeto Ablakwa Tells Government To Be Fair
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has described the failure of the government to resettle victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage five months after the incident as neglect of the people he swore to protect as President of the Republic.
He added that although the government had budgeted more than Ghs200 million to resettle victims, these funds are yet to be received.
He expressed the dangers associated with the tents being used by victims as the seasons change, emphasizing also that they are unsuitable for long-term habitation.
“His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, remember your oath of office. The oath of office that they swore enjoins them to be fair to all manner of persons. I just want to ask, is it fair that for five months and counting displaced persons, who have committed no crimes, are still living in tents?”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
The MP expressed his appreciation to the First Sky Group for single-handedly financing the provision of 600 housing units for some affected victims and pleaded with the government to make good use of the contingency fund which was established to take care of emergencies of this nature as provided under Article 177 of the constitution.
As such, he questioned where the money approved for the contingency fund is and when the 2024 allocation would be released.
According to data from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), over 12, 633 people were displaced by the Akosombo Dam spillage that resulted in flooding in about nine different district assemblies in the Volta and Eastern regions, namely North, Central, and South Tongu District Assemblies, Asuogyaman, Shai Osudoku, and Ada.
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