The flood disaster that was caused by the spillage of the Akosombo Dam was caused by the Volta River Authority (VRA), North Tongu Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has insisted.
He said the VRA must compensate the people of Mepe and all the other areas affected by the flood.
“The media has been phenomenal in highlighting the grave levels of devastation following the VRA-induced disaster. We are exceedingly grateful. The over 12,000 displaced constituents of mine will never forget you. Kudos TV3 for your comprehensive coverage from the ground at prime time this morning. Together we shall survive this man-made disaster and secure justice for all victims,” he tweeted.
The media has been phenomenal in highlighting the grave levels of devastation following the VRA-induced disaster. We are exceedingly grateful.
The over 12,000 displaced constituents of mine will never forget you.
Kudos TV3 for your comprehensive coverage from the ground at… pic.twitter.com/VbTlLs5K67
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) October 19, 2023
He further stated that “Yesterday we cut sod for construction to begin on a First Sky Group housing project to relocate a good number of my 12,000 beloved displaced constituents. First Sky’s subsidiary known as Construction Ambassadors are executing the project which they promise to complete in record time. As our contribution, we are offering free land at all agreed three locations. Additionally, we stand ready to provide communal labour support.
Thank you Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang for your compassion, solidarity and courage.
A mother’s love.
North Tongu is grateful ?? pic.twitter.com/W8iuYZ5qwP
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) October 18, 2023
“The relocation will begin to restore the dignity of my beloved constituents, ensure they live in much healthier conditions, and free the 21 schools being used as safe havens so our children can return to school. North Tongu shall never forget the generosity and humanity of the First Sky Group. May God bless you all bountifully. Together, we shall survive this man-made disaster.”
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the VRA, Mr Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa said that the lake was experiencing inflows more than expected hence the spillage was going to continue.
“We are on phase II [of the spillage] right now and it is a cycle. It is normal at this time of the year for us to experience inflows. The difference is that we are getting more than expected and to safeguard this dam means that we have to spill water, that is the standard operation for any hydro dam but the inflows that we are seeing now are in excess.
“Definitely, as the cycle goes through this will recede so we are hoping it will recede in the next time,” he told journalists on Thursday, October 12.
“The spilling may continue even though we are anticipating that the levels may drop down to phase 1, which was started on September 15 but of course, we did not have much excess as we are seeing now, this is an emergency as we have seen from the beginning.
“Whether dredging or no dredging it is an emergency. The volume of water that is coming into the lake right now which we have to throw out, it means that we need to evacuate people from wherever they are to ensure they are safe until the inflows recede,” he added.
The VRA was accused of neglecting its responsibilities in the Lower Volta Basin hence the huge impact of flood caused by spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams on communities.