The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta Region has strongly denounced claims by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that his administration has released about GH¢80 million towards rehabilitation works in communities affected by the floods caused by the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams.
In a statement issued by the Volta Regional Communications Officer, Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze, the opposition party emphasized that no intervention works are being undertaken by the government, nor any major relief intervention provided to victims of the 2023 flooding incidents.
Mr Kafui Agbleze further stated that the Volta Regional Chapter of the opposition National Democratic Congress find the statement by President Akufo-Addo as misleading as there are no indications in the affected areas of any rehabilitation project nor financial assistance provided to the victims.
“We call on the NPP government to desist from callously politicizing the human-induced disaster, immediately provide clarity on the status of the allocated funds, and ensure that they get to the intended beneficiaries without further delay. The people of the Volta Region, like any other region, deserve nothing less than full transparency and timely assistance in this time of crisis”.
Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze
Furthermore, Mr Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze noted that the National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region therefore finds it “unconscionable” for the ruling government to make false promises and for President Akufo-Addo to mislead the public about the support being provided to mitigate the sufferings persons affected by the flood.
The statement also stated that the government has failed to fulfill its promises to provide relief funds for the victims of the flood occasioned by the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams as stated in the 2024 Budget by the former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta in last year November.
Private Individuals Provide Relief Intervention For Flood Victims
Moreover, Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze, the National Democratic Congress Volta Regional Communications Officer asserted that any reliefs or intervention which has thus far been provided to flood victims is done by private individuals, organisations, companies, and foreign entities, by virtue of the incessant advocacies and appeals from the local people and the various Members of Parliament in the affected areas.
He questioned the lack of transparency and accountability in the operation of the supposed funds meant to help restore normalcy for the flood victims.
In addition Mr. Agbleze bemoaned the devastating effects of the disaster, which according to him has imposed severe suffering on the residents in the affected communities, including displacing thousands, loss of livelihoods, and damage to properties worth millions of cedis.
Mr. Agbleze concluded his statement by emphasizing that the National Democratic Congress stands in solidarity with the people of the Volta Region and will thus relentlessly continue to advocate for their rights, interests, and welfare.
Earlier before the statement from the opposition National Democratic Congress in Volta Region, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency in the Volta Region, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa raised concerns regarding the disbursement of GHS 80 million by the government to aid victims of the flood which occurred last year due to the Akosombo Dam spillage.
The North Tongue Member of Parliament, while expressing his reservations questioned the transparency of the disbursement process, highlighting that the President’s statement lacked specific information regarding where the funds were directed and how they were being utilized for the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts for displaced victims.
The Honorable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa thus called on the government to ensure transparency regarding its disbursement of fund to the victims of the flood resulting from the Akosombo dam spillage.
It is recalled that President Akufo-Addo during his 67th National Independence Day address in Koforidua stated that the government has set aside two hundred and twenty million cedis (GH¢220 million), of which eighty million cedis (GH¢80 million) has already been released by the Ministry of Finance, to support the ongoing rehabilitation efforts for the affected communities.
According to him, the government will stop at nothing to restore normalcy to the lives and livelihoods of all affected persons of the flood occasioned by the Akosombo and Kpong dam spillage.
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