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General News of Thursday, May 30, 2019
Source: peacefmonline.com
2019-05-30
Sammy Gyamfi is National Communications Director for the NDC
The opposition National Democratic Congress [NDC] Nana Addo-led government to "wake up" to its responsibility as the raining season approaches.
"Clearly, a major flood disaster is looming large upon us, and the impact may be very catastrophic for the people of Accra; if urgent action is not taken, "The party's National Communication Officer said in a statement copied to Peacefmonline.com.
Sammy Gyamfi also blamed the Nana Addo-led government for the recent floods, which has had six lives.
"If many parts of Accra are currently submerged in flood waters as a result of the 45-minute light rainfall recorded yesterday, then what will befall the nation in the event of heavy torrential rains, which are normally recorded between June to July every year? Clearly, "he said.
Adding that, "It is sad that the crbad incompetence, ineptitude and the cluelessness of the Akufo-Addo government is what the nation in this particular quagmire.The failure of the Akufo-Addo Government to the Odaw River, the Korle Lagoon and the several primary and secondary drains in Accra during the dry season, is the major reason for the current looming disaster. "
Read full statement below …
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) notes with many recent distressing cases of flooding in six (6) precious lives over the last two (2) months.
Our deepest commiserations go to all the flood victims. It is our hope that government will urgently come to their aid and provide adequate relief to improve their suffering.
Even though flooding is not a new phenomenon in Accra, we are deeply alarmed at the current spate of flooding given that, we are still experiencing the peak of this year.
If many parts of Accra are currently submerged in flood waters as a result of the 45-minute light rainfall recorded yesterday, then what will befall the nation in the event of heavy torrential rains, which are normally recorded between June to July every year?
Clearly, a major flood disaster is looming large upon us, and the impact may be very catastrophic for the people of Accra; if urgent action is not taken.
It is sad to note that the incompetence, ineptitude and cluelessness of the Akufo-Addo government is what the nation in this particular quagmire.
The failure of the Akufo-Addo government to the Odaw River, the Korle Lagoon and the several primary and secondary drains in Accra, is the major reason for the current looming disaster. This explains why many non-flood prone areas are currently being flooded for the first time.
It was considered that the nation could have minimized the impact of this year's floods, and it has had a negative impact on the past few years. Mahama administration, which was intended to significantly deal with perennial floods in Accra.
The Mahama government consistently undertakes annual de-silting of the Odaw and Korle in order to minimize the spleen, and mitigates the effect of flooding in Accra. Unfortunately, the Akufo-Addo-led government has not shown much commitment to this program in the last two years.
Even though Accra was able to ride the flood storm in 2017 and 2018 due to the previous works done by the Mahama government, Akufo-Addo's inertia and incompetence has finally caught up with him.
It goes without saying that it is a widespread experience of dereliction of duty and the leadership paralysis Ghanaians are facing under the Akufo-Addo government.
Therefore, this government can not make any excuses for their failure to address this issue because they have never had the knowledge of the fact that the capital city is not ready for heavy rains this year. The Foreword was even amplified in an interview on March 24, 2019, when the Accra Mayor, Mohammed Adjei Sowah reported that, the capital will not be able to protect lives and property during the rainy season.
Sadly, however, government ignored this warning signal too much and sat aloof during the dry season (January-April 2019) for us to get here.
Had government been a little proactive, we would have minimized the rate of floods significantly this year. Unfortunately, the authorities went to sleep, hence our present predicament, which is very likely to intensify in the coming weeks and the heavy rains set in.
We were told by the Minister for Works and Housing, Hon. Samuel Atta Akyea in May this year, Government has committed an amount of GH ¢ 200 million to be used for desilting / excavation and construction works under the National Emergency Flood Control Program to address the perennial flooding challenge in the country.
Also in April this year, we were told by the Minister for Water and Sanitation, Hon. Cecilia Dapaah that, Government has allotted Ghc197 million for the desilting of choked drains and other drainage works in the country. Yet, there is no value to show for all those This is what happens when you have a government that talks so much and yet delivers very little.
Finally, even though it is too late in the day to be significant to the situation, we suggest that government intensifies education on how to avoid flooding, and adopts other safety measures. As a matter of urgency, Government must put in place emergency relief and disaster management measures to minimize the impact of the disaster.
Under the current helpless circumstances, we believe that the continuous stay in office of government officials is untenable. Hence, the Minister for Works and Housing, Hon. Samuel Atta Akyea and the Minister for Water and Sanitation, Hon. Cecilia Dapaah should resign from office or be sacked. They have failed the nation and have been grossly incompetent and unfit for the high offices they occupy.
President Akufo-Addo must wake up and act now.
Signed:
SAMMY GYAMFI
NATIONAL COMMUNICATION OFFICER – NDC
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