Western Regional NADMO Director, Abdul Ganiyu, has indicated that steps are being taken to address the floods which occurred on the Sekondi-Takoradi stretch of the Western Region.

Giving an assessment of the situation, Abdul Ganiyu stated the Regional Minister led the REGSEC to go round the community, most especially, the stretch which was flooded yesterday.

“What we are doing currently is that, this morning around 5am, we went round to assess the magnitude of what the rains have caused. The damage is however, not too much and what we are seeing is that, the water has reduced.”
Abdul Ganiyu

Highlighting the major problem which caused the floods, Mr. Ganiyu stated that the road has very small drainage system. He explained that due to the size, the drainage cannot contain the rain water, as such results in flooding anytime it rains.

“We pointed it to the Regional Minister and authorities so that they will speed up and call on government to work on the drainage system along the road to ensure the free flow of the water to the last destination.”
Abdul Ganiyu

According to the NADMO Director, if steps are not taken to resolve the issue immediately, more floods will be witnessed. He stated that his outfit has been able to solve some of the problems in the region, as such, this must be attended to, to complete it.

“A place called Ayedru was known in the region to be a place that anytime it drizzles, the place will be flooded. Currently, as we speak, the issue has been resolved. There are so many areas within the Sekondi area which has been resolved. So, we hope that this one will also be resolved so that residents within the community will be free.”
Abdul Ganiyu

NADMO has consistently recommended expansion of drainage system

Mr. Ganiyu posited that this is not the first time NADMO is recommending to authorities to expand the drainage system of the road. However, it has not been attended to and the rains have unfortunately set in.

“Anytime we make our report we put in the recommendation. It has not been once, or twice, its been said severally. That is how come the Ayedru area has been taken care of. So, we are waiting that this line will also receive the attention .”
Abdul Ganiyu

The Western Regional NADMO Director stated that his outfit has also informed the Sekondi-Takoradi Municipal Assembly (STMA) and is still waiting for a response. “The place that got flooded is all under STMA.”

His comments came after hundreds of motorists were left stranded and trapped in their vehicles for about eight hours as the rains flooded the Apowa to Amanfukuma stretch of the Takoradi to Agona Nkwanta road on Tuesday afternoon.

According to reports, the flood water broke down engines of vehicles and mangled the bumpers of those vehicles that attempted to cross the flooded stretch. Professional divers and rescuers were engaged by the NADMO to rescue some trapped passengers whose vehicles had been capsized by the flood.

The water level was said to have been waist deep and structures along the stretch were submerged leaving the roofing. The Apowa Police Station, frontage of the St. Mary’s Senior High School, two fuel dumps, stores and kiosks were all covered with water.