Dawhenya irrigation spillage: Hundreds of residents count their losses
“We have no option than to be here. We bought the land during the dry season, so we didn’t know about the situation. Many were caught unaware.”
Hundreds of residents in Dawhenya located in the Ningo-Prampram constituency are counting their losses after the Irrigation Dam in the area overflowed its boundaries.
Over 500 homes in the area have been severely affected by the overflow of water from the dam, forcing a significant number of residents to evacuate their homes.
Personal belongings and properties running into thousands of cedis have been destroyed in the wake of the flooding, with some residents reporting that the water level reached the windows of their houses.
As a result more than 100 individuals find themselves displaced, with others confined to their residences, following the overflow of the irrigation dam on the afternoon of Monday, November 27, 2023. The dam, sourced from rainwater in the Aburi Mountains, plays a vital role in supporting rice and vegetable cultivation in the region.
This incident has left residents frustrated, with some noting that it is not the first time such an event has occurred.
In an interview with Accra-based JoyNews, a victim named Mavis shared a harrowing experience, recounting how her child was almost swept away by the water. She expressed the urgent need for intervention, stating, “The rain has carried all our belongings away, and the remaining ones are spoiled. My child was nearly carried away. Something must be done about it.”
Another affected resident explained, “We have no option than to be here. We bought the land during the dry season, so we didn’t know about the situation. Many were caught unaware.”
The impacted individuals are now seeking assistance, leading to the evacuation of those affected. National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) officials, along with the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, and other authorities, have visited some of the affected communities.
In response to the situation, Mr Sam George emphasized the necessity of conducting an investigation. He expressed concern that residents are suffering due to the alleged negligence of individuals in authority.
“At the irrigation site, a scheme manager tells me it’s the former manager who gave out the land. The MCE says he doesn’t know anything about it so who gave the permit? How can a scheme manager sell state land to a foreigner? This is unacceptable,” he stated.
Source:newsalertgh
