The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta Region has expressed doubt over Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s pledge of government allocation of GHC 220 million in the 2024 budget, for the first phase of the government’s relief package for victims of the recent flood disaster occasioned by the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams.
According to the Volta Regional Communications Officer of the party, Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze while the party acknowledges the urgent need to assist residents affected by the Akosombo and Kpong dam-induced flood, it is however very doubtful of the government particularly the Finance Minsters’ commitment to fulfil its promises.
He noted that Mr Ken-Ofori Atta, the Finance Minister’s history of not fulfilling his financial obligations raises serious questions about his ability to fulfil his pledge to victims of the Akosombo and Kpong dam spillages induced-flood.
The release, therefore, emphasized that the recent pledge by Ghana’s Finance Minister, Mr Ken-Ofori Atta to the victims of the Akosombo and Kpong dam-induced floods only added to the many list of undelivered assurances on the part of the Finance Minister.
Furthermore, Mr Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze, the Volta Regional Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress noted that the failed promise captured in the 2022 Budget, to make available some GHC 10 million to ameliorate the plight of residents of Anlo, Keta, and Ketu South Municipalities which have and are still reeling under the havoc of the perennial tidal waves, is still fresh on the minds of the people.
According to him some of the affected victims of the perennial tidal waves in the region have lost their livelihood while others have been displaced thereby making them stay in a classroom.
Volta NDC Challenges Government To Deliver On Its Promises
Moreover, the statement by the National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region issued by Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze, Regional Communications Officer challenged the government to deliver on its pledges to the people affected by the flood occasioned by the Akososmbo and Kpong dams’ spillage.
He thus urged the government to ensure immediate disbursements of the relief funds to drastically alleviate the hardships and sufferings of the residents hugely affected by the unfortunate flood disaster.
“We believe that the affected people deserve a concrete and immediate response. We will closely monitor the Government’s actions to ensure accountability and fulfilment of promises made in the 2024 budget”.
Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze,
However, the National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region in its statement lauded the government’s decision to request financial assistance from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank to enable the country to access some funds from the Crisis Response Window to provide additional support to the flood victims.
The party thus, urged the Finance Minister, Mr Ken-Ofori Atta to disclose the total amount of funds that the government is requesting from the World Bank and the timeframe within which the government would receive such funds from the World Bank.
“We also want to inform the Government that it will be very heartless for the victims of the disaster to wait till next year for their resettlement to commence, especially when it is not clear when the Government will access funds from the Crisis Response Window from the World Bank. We firmly entreat the Government to use money from the Contingency Fund to commence the relief process of resettlement and restoration of livelihood to these victims”.
Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze,
Additionally, the National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region expressed deep concerns about the government’s inability to spell out the additional resource allocation by the Ministry of Agriculture for the restoration of livelihood to the victims of the VRA-induced flooding to demand accountability from the government.
According to Volta Region NDC, it shall demand nothing less than a full restoration of livelihood and loss of properties for the affected victims of the flood disaster.
It therefore concluded that the National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region would remain committed to advocating for the welfare of Ghanaian citizens particularly those in the region affected by the dam spillage by the Volta River Authority.
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