The Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Engineering and Operations at the Volta River Authority, Ing. Eward Obeng Kenzo, has given an assurance that his outfit would continue to support the flood victims in all the districts that have been affected by the spillage of water from the Akosombo and Kpong dams.
Speaking at a news conference organised by the Ministry of Information in Accra yesterday, he said: “We will continue in this regard to bring relief to the doorstep of all those affected, those in the safe heavens and those staying with friends and relatives.” He assured all and sundry that they would be seeing an end to the situation, especially those affected by the spillage as they were working hard to restore life to the communities.
According to him, they were worried over the extent of damage caused by the spillage, and gave an assurance that they would continuously support the victims.
“Since day one, when we started this spilling, we have been with the communities. All those affected communities from Asuogyaman all the way to South Ada, South Tongu, Central Tongu, and Ada East, and what have you, we have been with them. The relief items are still being supplied.
“Acknowledging the many challenges facing the affected communities, VRA and the entire relief team are engaged in regular supply of food items such as rice, maize, beans, gari, sugar, mackerel, cooking oil, palm oil, tomato paste, groundnuts, biscuits, fruit juice, powdered milk and drinking water.
“Other non-food relief items include mosquito repellent creams, mosquito nets, blankets, mattresses, solar-powered lanterns with telephone charging features, sanitary items and many more,” he said.
He emphasised that none of those affected was left unattended, and that they would be with the communities throughout these trying times, and make sure that the comfort and relief they needed they would receive them until their lives return to normalcy. He called on all well-meaning Ghanaians who seek to support them to donate and help bring relief to the people.
Mr. Kenzo also used the opportunity to outline the full support the government has given to the affected communities, ranging from providing shelter, drinking water, foods, etc, to alleviate them from more suffering.
The Deputy Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, who also addressed the media, stressed that, they take full responsibility in rehabilitating the communities and the infrastructure that had been destroyed by the spillage.
Madam Abubakar stated that the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) was also working tirelessly to provide support to every community that had been affected by the other flood-related issues, which were not caused by the spillage done by the VRA.
Background
On September 15, 2023 the Volta River Authority commenced the spilling of excess water due to rising levels of the Akosombo and Kpong hydro dams. Numerous Lower Volta Basin inhabitants lost their farms and homes to flooding brought on by the spillage weeks after it began.
It is known that nine districts experienced flooding, resulting in a humanitarian disaster for the local population. Heartbreaking stories have come out of the Volta Region’s South, Central, and North Tongu districts, where the destruction is unimaginable.
