Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is demanding clarity from Government on its claim of support to victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage.
President Akufo-Addo during his address on the 67th Independence Day said government has released an amount of 80 million Ghana cedis for the relief of the victims.
Reacting to the President’s claim in an interview on The Keypoints, the Legislator said the Minority members of Parliament are surprised by the President’s claim.
He noted that he had filed an urgent question in Parliament for clarity on the matter.
“Who was it released to because the President only said release by the Finance Ministry did not indicate the destination and what it is been used for. Is it the case that probably it was released just a few hours to his address and that is why we have not seen any concrete development on the ground in terms of what is being used for?” Ablakwa quizzed.
GHC80m released to support victims of Akosombo Dam spillage – Akufo-Addo
He further emphasised that all the support and release for the victims have been initiatives of private individuals and non-governmental organisations.
He said government has not extended any support to the victims.
“So far in terms of rehabilitation and construction wise for displaced victims, nothing has started from the point of government. All the displaced homes that we have constructed has been led by us. Private initiatives superintended by the MP’s office then if you look at what has come in terms of support of livelihoods, it’s largely been driven by NGOs,” he said.
The MP who has been very active with support to the victims added “it will be really important to know exactly the destination of that release. I’m sure that if we follow through with this urgent question to seek clarity from Ministers of State, things will be put to proper perspective.”
“I welcome the President’s final statement on this matter because I thought it was an aberration, quiet an unpardonable one that he totally ignored the matter during the State of the nation address,” Mr. Ablakwa stated.
The MP urged government to take a lesson from the aftermath of the spillage of the Dam to avoid further reoccurrence.