Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ing. Edward Obeng Kenzo, has assured affected persons of the Akosombo dam spillage delivery of sufficient relief items to help relieve them of the hardships.
According to him, government has offered quite a number of reliefs items to affected communities since the spillage began.
He indicated that the Authority has been able to install a new water-pumping station at Aveyime which now supplies the residents with safe drinking water.
“We would like to assure the whole nation and those affected that nobody is left unattended. We will be with the communities throughout these trying times and make sure that the comfort and relief they need, they receive them.”
Ing. Edward Obeng Kenzo
Furthermore, Mr Kenzo stated that since the first day the VRA started spilling, it has been with the communities. He noted that all those affected communities from Asuogyaman all the way to South Ada, South Tongu, Central Tongu, and Ada East are under the radar of the Authority.
“The relief items are still being supplied. We have given water, we have made sure there’s enough water being supplied to these communities.”
Ing. Edward Obeng Kenzo
Moreover, Mr Kenzo highlighted that the VRA has invested some GHC1.5 million in the various hospitals in the area.
He underscored that the waste management company, Zoomlion, has equally been contracted to provide hygienic portable toilet facilities for the residents.
“Our hospital department, in conjunction with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the various district hospitals, has supplied almost GHC1.5 million worth of drugs to the communities. We will continue to make sure that we bring relief to the doorsteps of all those affected and make sure they return to their normal lives.”
Ing. Edward Obeng Kenzo
Relocation of affected residents
As part of government’s efforts to ensure potable drinking water to affected communities, the deputy CEO of VRA emphasized that water tanks have been supplied to the communities. He revealed that the Authority is bringing in water from the various communities to supply.
“We will continue as I said to make sure that the relief items go to the affected communities. Zoomlion has been engaged to provide portable toilet facilities.”
Ing. Edward Obeng Kenzo
Regarding the incessant spillage of water by the VRA, Mr Kenzo assured that there would be “no additional spillage of water”.
Meanwhile, Deputy minister of information, Fatimatu Abubakar, has revealed that the issue of relocating affected persons in the Volta region is hinged on a number of factors.
She stated that as it stands now, officials from the Ghana Health Service, including regional and district health directors are conducting tests to ascertain whether the places affected are still habitable.
She indicated that the outcome of such investigations will determine whether the water is utterly contaminated, that people have to be moved.
“It is that information that they will give to the center, that will inform some decisions by the committee. But as it stands now, we haven’t received such information. Mind you, we have doctors and nurses on the ground. If you go to Mepe, there’s a female doctor and about four nurses and these people know what is happening on the ground and are advising so the necessary next steps can be taken.”
Fatimatu Abubakar
Furthermore, Ms Abubakar explained that if the intention and question on relocation is a long-term one, there are chiefs, leaders and so much involved in taking the critical decision of moving people from their social and cultural habitats.
She however noted that if the need arises for such a conversation in the future, government will still create the platform for relevant persons to hold the discussion.
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