South Tongu NDC sympathizes with victims of Akosombo Dam spillage

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the South Tongu Constituency, one of the areas highly hit by the spillage of the Akosombo Dam by the Volta River Authority (VRA) wishes to express its sincerest sympathy to the good people of the area and all other Constituencies presently affected by this rather unfortunate exercise.

In a statement, the Constituency Secretary of South Tongu Dr. Lawer Egbenya said, they are with the affected victims in this difficult moment.

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He further explained that, the current spillage has led to huge losses in various facets of our lives as a people.

Livelihoods and several properties are being destroyed. Various resources are being wasted. Health and educational institutions including the Comboni Tech/Voc Institute here in Sogakope are closed down.

Several houses and farmlands in about thirty (30; and still counting) communities in the Constituency have been ravaged by the floods. Our roads have been taken over by the floods.

READ ALSO: Comboni Hospital, Sogakope closed down temporarily following Akosombo Dam spillage

The losses in this exercise are incredibly immeasurable but unfortunately it continues.

“While we acknowledge that having exceeded the maximum level of its capacity, the level of the Dam needs to be checked. Regrettably, however, the level of stakeholder and public engagement prior to the commencement of this important exercise was abysmal. This has
exacerbated the plight of our people.”

Reports indicate that the last time such a spillage occured was in 1968. The ongoing havoc reaffirms the legitimacy of the incessant calls by our elders that communities downstream the Akosombo Dam ought to be compensated following the destruction witnessed since the construction of the Dam.

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“Despite the untoward hardship we are going through as a result of this spillage, the central government and its key stakeholders, till now, do not seem to see our plight as a national emergency.”

“Same attitude was shown towards our compatriots in the tidal wave-ravaged communities in the recent past. The government must rise up to its mandate of protecting the lives and properties of all her citizens. Our lives matter. Volta lives matter; just as that of any other Ghanaian elsewhere. There is no time to waste.”

“Certainly the negative impact of the spillage on lives, livelihoods and properties would have been reduced significantly, if not avoided, had VRA adequately engaged the communities downstream and also used a more controlled approach in the spillage.”

“To the people of South Tongu, the NDC in the Constituency, led by Chairman Michael Tsikudo, together with our Flag bearer, H.E. John Mahama, reiterates its solemn promise to stand with you throughout this ordeal. We will overcome this present danger together. Safety”

SOURCE: Coverghan.com.gh