The National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region has called on the general public to offer assistance to the victims and communities of the Akosombo dam spillage
In a statement signed by the Regional Chairman, Honorable Mawutor Agbavitor, the party indicated that the recent dam spillage by the Volta River Authority (VRA) has succeeded in wrecking untold and devastating havoc on several communities and households resident along the Lower Volta Basin, thus completely redefining their very existence.
According to Mr. Agbavitor, the most affected communities are within the North Tongu, South Tongu, Anlo, Keta and Ketu South Municipalities.
He noted that over forty thousand (40,000) people, comprising children, nursing mothers, youths and the elderly, have been rendered homeless and helpless as a result of the flood of the Akosombo dam spillage.
“The Volta NDC, as a major stakeholder in the Region, is by this medium fervently calling on all well-meaning and benevolent Ghanaians to, as a matter of urgency, come to the aid of our fellow citizens who have suddenly become victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage.
“The NDC in the Volta Region is hereby urgently calling on the Clergy, especially the Catholic Relief Service (CRS), the Islamic Society of Ghana through the Chief Imam, Traditional Religious Leaders, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Captains of industries, NGOs, the Business Community, and the Media: Joy News/FM, Citi TV/FM, UTV, Metro TV, TV3, GBC/GTV, Peace FM, TV XYZ, GhOne, and the others to use their platforms to mobilize resources to help ameliorate the plights of these unfortunate souls”.
Mawutor Agbavitor
Volta NDC Bemoans Of The Devastating Effect Of Akosombo Dam Spillage
The National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region also bemoaned the devastating damages the spillage of the Akosombo dam by the Volta River Authority has caused to communities in the Volta Region.
Mr. Agbavitor, the Volta Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress stated that the spillage has caused horrifying spectacles which has never been witnessed in the history of the Region.
“Buildings and homes have been submerged, and livestock, properties, means of livelihood and other economic activities have been destroyed by the floods occasioned by the spillage. The sanitary situation of these people is becoming worse by the day as their toilets, waste bins and refuse dumps have been submerged. Access to potable water and health facilities has become impossible, posing an eminent outbreak of epidermic diseases such as cholera”.
Mawutor Agbavitor
Moreover, the party expressed disappointment over the inadequate supportive interventions from the National Disaster Management Organization to the victims of the spillage.
“The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) is inadequately resourced to provide the needed assistance and relief to these victims. The VRA’s intervention, we are told, is also woefully inadequate. With the passing day, the precarious predicaments of these flood victims are worsening in an already harsh economy”.
Mawutor Agbavitor
The National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region therefore urged all generous individuals, groups and organizations to promptly assist in giving back life to these fellow Ghanaian citizens who were unfortunately caught up in such a disaster resulting from the spillage of the Akosombo dam.
“There is therefore the need for us to delve into our humanity as Ghanaians and immediately come to the aid of our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, and sons and daughters who, through no fault of theirs, are reaping the excruciating consequences of VRA’s effort to save an important national asset like the Akosombo Hydroelectricity generation installation. Household and other relief items urgently needed are toiletries, drinking water, soft drinks, food items, mattresses, blankets, second-hand clothes, waste bins, plastic cups, bowls, buckets, mosquito nets, mosquito coils, sanitary pads etc”.
Mawutor Agbavitor
Meanwhile, a 13-member inter-ministerial committee has been established to coordinate the government’s response to victims affected by the Akosombo dam spillage.
The Committee is chaired by the Chief of staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, and other members of the committee include the Minister of National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah; Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery; Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul; Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh; Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta and the Minister of Local Government, Daniel Kwaku Botwe.
