Akosombo Dam spillage: Ablakwa dares government to name a single victim that has been compensated, resettled

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has dared the government to name a single victim of the floods caused by the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams that has been compensated and resettled.

The lawmaker says almost a year after the disaster occurred, government has relented on its effort to ensure those displaced are compensated and resettled.

The Volta River Authority (VRA), in November 2023, disclosed that its outfit had spent GH¢9million to mitigate the plight of the 36,000 victims of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams-induced flood.

The said amount, according to the Authority, was part of the GH¢20million allocated to help address the challenges of the victims of the floods.

The Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Services at the VRA, Ken Arthur, addressing the media on November 23, 2024, said the Authority, had since intensified efforts to alleviate the pain and discomfort of the affected people.

According to Ing. Arthur, all affected persons were going to be attended to and none will be left behind in the exercise.

Meanwhile, almost a year after the incident, OnuaOnline’s visit to Mepe, the hardest-hit community during the disaster, showed the victims have still not been compensated with some still dwelling in the tents that were created as safe havens for them.

In an exclusive with their lawmaker Sunday, August 11, 2024, Sammy Ablakwa challenged the government to point to a single individual who has been compensated.

“I am glad that you have come to Mepe yourself. You’ve spent almost a week with us. You are seeing everything yourself. If government truly has spent all of those millions, it should reflect on the grounds. Where is the housing project? Who has received compensation?

“They should give us one name, one displaced person, one victim in the camp who has been compensated. They should provide evidence because where I sit in Parliament and on the ground as a Member of Parliament, I don’t see,” he said.

He indicated that there were people who are ready to support the housing project for the victims but the government is not making any commitment.

“Where is the government project? Why hasn’t anybody moved into government houses? Where are the government contractors? Where are they building the projects? Because we have learned that we have prepared, ready to donate to government free of charge to build these houses for our people. So it’s not that anybody probably is being unfair to government or just wants to embarrass the government. If they are doing something, you are here at Mepe, you’ll see it,” he added.

Meanwhile, the MP has presented medical equipment worth US$1.2billion to the Mepe Health Centre. The equipment, according to him, were provided courtesy the SOS.

Background

On September 15, 2023, the Volta River Authority (VRA) commenced the spilling of excess water due to rising levels of the Akosombo and Kpong hydro dams.

Weeks after the spillage started, many residents living along the Lower Volta Basin lost their homes and farms to the floods caused by the spillage.

Nine districts are known to have suffered from the floods, with inhabitants caught up in this humanitarian crisis.

Heart-wrenching tales emerged from the South, Central, and North Tongu districts of the Volta Region, where the devastation has known no bounds.

The once vibrant communities of Battor, Tefle, Mepe, Sogakope, Adidome, and Anlo were submerged, with their existence nearly swallowed by the unrelenting waters.

Over 31,000 people according to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NaDMO), were displaced and rendered homeless.

Source:onuaonline.com