The Volta River Authority (VRA) commenced what it describes as a controlled spillage of the Akosombo Dam on Friday, September 15 which ran concurrently with that of Kpong Dam.
The spillages which lasted about a month have resulted in devastating floods that have destroyed farms, buildings and several properties within the communities around the Lower Volta River rendering thousands of people.
According to the Ghana Electrical Contractors Association (GECA), it will be very suicidal and life threatening for displaced victims to return to their houses without a Post-Flood Integrity Assessment on the buildings and other electrical installations.
“The Post-Flood Integrity Assessment would examine and monitor the insulation resistance of flooded cables and electrical installations before electricity is restored. It will also evaluate the structural integrity of buildings and other physical infrastructure before people are allowed to access or occupy them. This will guide against fire outbreaks, electrocutions and collapses” GECA President Awal Mohammed Sakib said on 3FM.
“As we have seen in videos and pictures, houses including Storey buildings were flooded up to roof-levels thereby compromising the structural integrity of their walls, floors, foundations and electrical installations so we can’t risk it.” he added.
The Ghana Electrical Contractors Association has further assured that their members are ready to team up with the government of Ghana and other stakeholders to embark on this important assignment.
GECA is of the view that flood victims have already suffered great losses and must not be burdened with the cost of the Post-flood Integrity Assessment, hence GECA is ready to collaborate with the government and other stakeholders to bear the cost.
“In the coming days we are going to come up with a plan to help assess those facilities that have been affected so that we would be able to offer the needed advice to make sure that they are electrically safe” Mr. Sakib announced.
The Ghana Electrical Contractors Association (GECA) has made donations of food items, provisions, toiletries, insecticides, and fans to the flood victims through Media General’s 3Foundation Dam Spillage Relief Fund.
By Samuel Afriyie Owusu|editors.3news.com|Ghana
