Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has stressed on the need to providing alternative housing for flood victims in the Lower Volta Basin.
He highlights that the continuous displacement of people in the Lower Volta Basin has disrupted life in the region, and there is an urgent requirement for attention and support to help restore a sense of normalcy in the area.
During an appearance on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, he expressed concern about the substantial increase in the number of displaced individuals in recent weeks and emphasized that the makeshift shelters currently in use are unsuitable for human habitation.
“We need to find alternative housing so that we can relocate the displaced people. The numbers have gone up a bit. I think North Tongu is hitting 13,000 now in terms of the displaced people according to the latest NADMO data, so these are huge numbers,” he said.
In a commendable response, local chiefs in the North Tongu region have generously contributed significant tracts of land to facilitate the resettlement of the displaced community members.
“They say anybody who is willing to come and put up housing here does not have to pay for the land, not even knocking fee, you don’t have to present drinks, nothing, just come and take over the land and start,” Okudzeto Ablakwa said.
In the meantime, several philanthropic individuals have pledged their support to the affected communities, offering assistance in their efforts to rebuild and recover.
“I must commend the First Sky group, they’re working very fast and then I must also commend Pastor Amoateng who says his church will also take up a housing unit.
“Mr. Ibrahim Mahama has also promised that he will also take up a few housing units and he has already sent his engineers here to assess the land.
“This morning he sent bulldozers here to start preparing the land for houses to be constructed and we want to thank him very much, we are eternally in his debt,” the MP revealed.
Nevertheless, Okudzeto Ablakwa emphasizes that the task of resettling the displaced people should not solely rely on philanthropic efforts. He underlines the immediate requirement for the government to assume a central role in the resettlement process, bearing both the financial burden and the leadership of the project.
“I must also add that the relocating discussion must go beyond a few philanthropists because the numbers are huge and government will have to really put together an allocation for this.
“And that is why when the Finance Minister came yesterday whilst commending him for his visit I emphasized two points that in the 2024 budget he will be presenting to parliament in a few days I want to see two things; one, resettlement allocation in the budget and two compensation allocation in the budget because it is urgent,” he said.