GHC9m has been spent on Akosombo Dam spillage victims so far – VRA

• Oct 24, 2023

The Volta River Authority (VRA) has revealed that it has expended a total of GH¢9 million thus far to alleviate the suffering of the 36,000 individuals affected by the flood caused by the Akosombo Dam spillage.

This sum is a portion of the GH¢20 million fund earmarked to address the challenges faced by residents in nine districts across the Volta and other regions.

During a press conference held in Accra on Monday, October 23, the Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Services at the VRA, Ken Arthur, conveyed that the authority has intensified its efforts to alleviate the hardships experienced by the flood victims.

Ing. Arthur further assured that all affected individuals will be assisted, leaving no one behind in the relief efforts.

“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.

Mr. Arthur also noted that the VRA has engaged Zoomlion to deliver sanitation services to the affected communities.

“Zoomlion has been contracted to provide mobile toilets, service them and also provide sanitation services at the safe havens.

“An access road has been created in Mepe to the St. Kizito centre to avoid accessing by boat.”

Additionally, he mentioned that there has been a clearance of weeds from the Sogakope bridge to enhance the river’s flow towards the ocean.

“We wish to assure the public that VRA will continue to monitor the situation and provide the needed support, together with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the other relevant agencies, to ensure the well-being of the affected communities.

“The authority reiterates that no one will be left behind in this emergency situation,” he emphasised.

Mr. Arthur emphasized that the VRA deeply empathized with all the affected individuals and remained steadfast in its commitment to collaborate with NADMO and all pertinent agencies to provide relief and support to the victims.

Tragic narratives have surfaced from the districts of South, Central, and North Tongu in the Volta Region, where the devastation has been immeasurable.

Once thriving communities like Battor, Tefle, Mepe, Sogakope, Adidome, and Anlo have been engulfed by the unforgiving floodwaters since the VRA spilled water from the Akosombo Dam on September 15.

According to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NaDMO), over 26,000 people have been uprooted and left homeless. Several organizations and individuals have stepped forward to offer relief items to the affected residents.

theindependentghana.com