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President Akufo-Addo has directed all Metropolitan, Municipal, District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), to remove all obstructions to the free flow of water and developments along water ways in the city with immediate effect.
He has also instructed Metropolitan, Municipal, District Assemblies (MMDAs) to ensure the strict adherence of developers to the planning laws of the nation and to sanction their staff who issue permits to developers who build structures in unauthorized locations.
President Akufo-Addo announced these measures at the commissioning ceremony of Dredge Masters IHC beaver 50 dredger and marine equipment meant for maintaining rivers, cannels and other inland waterways, at Adjei Kojo off the Santeo – Ashaiman road in Accra, today Wednesday May 25, 2022.
Prior to his directives, President Akufo-Addo, recalled some of the interventions his government has made with regard to the fight against flooding in the Greater Accra Region.
He added that inspite of previous interventions, a lot more needs to be done in light of the recent floods in parts of Accra.
The President observed that “government since 2017, has spent some GHc 450 million cedis on the flood control programme which has resulted in the reduced incidence of flooding, particularly in the major flood-prone areas in Accra such as the Odaw drainage channel.
He noted that “Phase 5 of the Accra cemetery sewage and storm water alleviation project which is intended to ensure that the Odaw channel is free of slit and debris, has been commissioned”.
“Indeed, the construction of 19 kilometres of drains has been completed while some 1,000km of drains have been excavated, rechanneled and maintained across the country as part of effects to reduce the perennial flooding of Accra,” President Akufo-Addo said.
“However, it is obvious from recent events that more needs to be done to deal with the situation permanently”.
“Government will continue to work towards the day when Ghanaians, especially those in Accra, will live in calm and tranquility through the raining season,” President Akufo-Addo said.
“Metropolitan, Municipal, District Chief Executives have been charged to ensure that the obstructions to the free flow of water as well as developments along water ways are removed immediately”.
“MMDA’s are also to ensure the strict adherence of developers to the planning laws of our country and sanction staff who issue permits for structures to be built on water ways to serve as a deterrent to others who seek to engage in such acts,” Akufo-Addo added.
To ensure these directives are strictly complied with, the President said he has elected to establish “a monitoring unit at Jubilee House that will be reporting directly to” him “on the progress on the implementation of these measures”.
Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso – Boakye, in his statement noted that “experts have indicated that enhancing storm water conveyance” in our major streams and channels while improving the holding capacity of our lagoons are among the surest ways to minimize the risk of flooding in the country”.
He emphasized his ministry will ensure that the President’s directives are obeyed and implemented to the latter.
Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, the parent company of Dredge Masters Limited, Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, in his statement said the introduction of the ultra-modern IHC beaver 50 dredger and marine equipment is aimed at bring the dredging capacity of the Dredge Masters to an all new level.
“As we provide these equipment, I like to admonish my fellow citizens to desist from throwing waste into water bodies”.
“This is because all the investments been made in this sector will not yield the expected results if our attitude does not change” Dr Siaw Agyepong said.
