$500 million needed to reconstruct Accra's drains
The Mayor of Accra, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, has hinted that $500 million is needed to construct scientific storm drains in the city to avert the effects of heavy downpours in the future.
Speaking on e.tv Ghana's breakfast show Awake this morning, the Mayor said the time had come for the country to put in place the necessary infrastructure such as drains in the planning of cities in order to direct flood waters in their natural course.
He noted that, drains such as the Odawna drains were constructed years back and therefore could not hold the volume of flood waters which are partly as a result of climate change.
Mr Vanderpuije also took the opportunity to commend the Town and Country Planning Department and was quick to add that there was no need for a blame game, saying, “It is important for us all to put our heads, minds and resources together... We have to set ourselves ready to do what needs to be done” .
Although the AMA has embarked on several demolition exercises in some parts of the city, the problem of flooding seems to be a lingering problem but Mr. Vanderpuije noted that the demolishing of about 200 illegal structures in some waterways in the country in the last two years had yielded successful results since those areas were not affected after yesterday’s downpour. Flood-prone areas such as Mamponsem and Banana Inn, according to the Accra Mayor, did not experience the floods due to the measures which were taken in the last two years.
Agreeing with opinions held by many Ghanaians, Mr Vanderpuije said indiscriminate littering also compounded the situation during torrential rainfalls and called for an attitudinal change among Ghanaians. “Let’s collect our refuse properly and dispose them of properly,” he said.
He commended the AMA task force, the police, NADMO officials and the 48 Engineers Regiment for their efforts in controlling the flood situation, adding that the “AMA is prepared to responsibly mobilize resources”.
etvghana.com
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