The Member of Parliament for Keta, Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey, has issued a legal threat against the Volta River Authority (VRA) due to their alleged failure to notify the affected residents about the Akosombo and Kpong Dam spillages.
In an interview on JoyNews’ The Probe on Sunday, he asserted that the local population was not adequately informed before the spillage occurred. Additionally, he refuted claims of having discussions with fellow Members of Parliament regarding the spillage.
“There was no warning or so from VRA even to spill the water. At the end of the day when they were in crisis, it was too late… I am encouraging our indigenes, especially the Volta region we need to sue the VRA,” he said.
Mr. Gakpey stated that the lawsuit would primarily focus on the harm inflicted on residents due to the absence of advance notice of the spillage and would also seek compensation for those affected.
He noted that the VRA informed them of the development “in the midst of the disaster.”
Thousands of residents in nine districts spanning the Volta, Eastern, and Greater Accra regions have suffered significant losses to their property and homes due to the continuous spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams.
The Volta River Authority explained that it is conducting this spillage due to a “consistent rise in the inflow pattern and water level of the Akosombo Dam.”
Meanwhile, the Deputy Director of NADMO, Seji Saji Amedonu, has stated that they are actively coordinating relief efforts to provide assistance to the affected residents.
“There are things that we need to give to the people. So have provided some food items and non-food items and the non-food items include – blankets, mattresses, mosquito nets, coils, buckets, etc. And food items – gari, sausage, maize, oil among others. We are trying to reach almost every one that has been affected,” he said.