Bantama MP, Francis Asenso-Boakye has urged government to declare one-week national flood emergency preparedness exercise following Monday’s heavy rainfall which caused floods in some parts of Accra.
Making a statement in Parliament on Tuesday, June 30, he noted this would enable Metropolitan, Municipal and District, Assemblies, NADMO & other stakeholders to intensify desilting, clear blocked drains & other preventive measures.
“With more heavy rains forecast, I respectfully call on Government to declare a one-week national flood emergency preparedness exercise to enable Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, NADMO and the Hydrological Services Authority, the Security Agencies and other stakeholders to intensify desilting, clear blocked drains, remove obstruction from waterways, preposition emergency teams and strengthen public education,” he stated.
His remarks come following Monday’s floods, which have left 12 people dead, displaced 38,802 residents, affected 7,761 households, and caused widespread destruction to homes, businesses and public infrastructure across the Greater Accra Region.
The lawmaker further lamented the lack of political will to sustain investments into flood-protection projects like the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) project.
He called on Government to provide comprehensive updates on their status and plans to complete them.
“Before leaving office Mr. speaker, major works including the Odaw dredging, Achimota Abofu drain, South Kaneshie drain and the Busia Highway were underway.
“It is regrettable that reports suggest that several of these projects have slowed down or stalled. I, therefore, urge government to provide this House with a comprehensive update 0n the status and ensure their timely completion,” he added.
