Government has pledged its commitment to find a lasting solution to the perennial flooding challenges across the country especially Accra. The Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has revealed efforts are still ongoing to clear solid waste in drainage channels.
A $200 million project aimed at addressing the flood situation in Ghana called the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project will be implemented to address the sanitation and solid waste management challenges in the Odaw drainage Basin.
“The Akufo-Addo government remains committed to honouring the memory of our departed friends by continuing and intensifying the efforts to find lasting solutions to the perennial flooding challenges in Accra and across the country.
It is in that spirit that the government is currently collaborating with the World Bank to invest $200 million to implement the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project which will mitigate flood risk and address sanitation and solid waste management challenges in the Odaw Drainage Basin where the unfortunate event occurred”.
The Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, made the statement marking the 7th anniversary of the June 3rd flood and fire disaster which occurred at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle. Government, he noted will continue to invest more resources across the country in ensuring that future floods are a thing of the past.
“Additionally, the government has since taking office in January 2017 to date committed an unprecedented amount of GHC450 million in the National Flood Control and Priority Drainage Programme. The government will continue to invest more resources across the country in ensuring that, not only is the current perennial flooding challenge comprehensively addressed, but also, that the country builds resilience against future flood risk”.
Government also advised individual homebuilders on the need to avoid paving their compounds and make room for water by introducing vegetation to reduce the volume of storm water runoff from their compounds into the public drains.
The June 3 twin disaster claimed over 150 lives following flooding and an explosion at the Goil Filling Station at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle. “I wish to on my own behalf and on behalf of the government and people of Ghana express my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the disaster. Our thoughts and prayers remain with them” the minister added.
