The National Democratic Congress (NDC), in opposition, has announced its intention to inquire about the government and the Volta River Authority’s (VRA) handling of what they describe as the inadequate management of the Akosombo Dam overflow and the subsequent flooding in areas within the Volta region and its neighboring regions.
Addressing flood victims after distributing relief supplies on behalf of John Mahama, the NDC’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, asserted that once the floodwaters subside and the affected individuals have received appropriate support, the party will initiate a series of actions to seek explanations.
“I am not a scientist, I am not an engineer but I have very serious questions to ask because the Dam was not constructed yesterday and flooding, when water is flowing into the Lake, even if it is from Burkina Faso, it doesn’t flow to Volta region within 24 hours and so if we are doing our work well as s scientists, we should know that when there is heavy rainfall and water is entering the rivers that feed that Dam, we should know that within some one month or two months the effect could be calculated and preventive action should be taken.
“This is not the first time the dam has been opened for water to spill. We must ask how come in all the previous years that we have had cause to spill water, the effects have not been this devastating? There are questions that we should ask. Let us chase away the cat at the appropriate time, we will have to tame the mouse. We will have to find answers to serious questions,” he said.
He underscored the significance of implementing swift actions to avert future incidents of this nature in the country. Additionally, he expressed bewilderment at the government’s failure to declare a state of emergency, despite numerous recommendations.
Nketiah suggested that if the government lacks the necessary resources to address the situation, it should “put aside its ego and reach out to the international community for urgent assistance.”
“We have as a nation, found reason to go and donate to other countries that have found themselves in crisis like this.”