President Akufo-Addo says he has directed all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), to remove all obstructions to the free flow of water and developments along with waterways in the city with immediate effect.
Additionally, the President has instructed Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to ensure the strict adherence of developers to the planning laws of the nation and to sanction their staff who issue permits to developers who build structures in unauthorized locations
President Akufo-Addo announced these new measures at the commissioning ceremony of Dredge Masters IHC beaver 50 dredger and marine equipment meant for maintaining rivers, channels and other inland waterways, at Adjei Kojo off the Santeo – Ashaiman road in Accra, today Wednesday 25 May 2022.
*Flood interventions*
Before his directives, President Akufo-Addo recalled some of the interventions his government has made concerning the fight against flooding in the Greater Accra Region.
He added that despite previous interventions, a lot more needs to be done in light of the recent floods in parts of Accra.
The President observed that the “government since 2017, has spent some GHc 450 million cedis on the flood control programme which has resulted in the reduced incidence of flooding, particularly in the major flood-prone areas in Accra such as the Odaw drainage channel.
He noted: “Phase 5 of the Accra cemetery sewage and stormwater alleviation project which is intended to ensure that the Odaw channel is free of slit and debris, has been commissioned”.
“Indeed, the construction of 19 kilometres of drains has been completed while some 1,000km of drains have been excavated, rechanneled and maintained across the country as part of effects to reduce the perennial flooding of Accra,” President Akufo-Addo said.
*Directives to MMDCEs / MMDAs*
“However, it is obvious from recent events that more needs to be done to deal with the situation permanently”.
“Government will continue to work towards the day when Ghanaians, especially those in Accra, will live in clam and tranquillity through the raining season” President Akufo-Addo said.
“Metropolitan, Municipal, District Chief Executives have been in charge to ensure that the obstructions to the free flow of water as well as developments along waterways are removed immediately”.
“MMDA’s are also to ensure the strict adherence of developers to the planning laws of our country and sanction staff who issue permits for structures to be built on waterways to serve as a deterrent to others who seek to engage in such acts” Akufo-Addo added.
*Monitoring unit*
To ensure these directives are strictly complied with, the President said he has elected to establish “a monitoring unit at Jubilee House that will be reporting directly to” him “on the progress on the implementation of these measures”.
Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso – Boakye, in his statement, said noted that “experts have indicated that enhancing stormwater conveyance” in our major streams and channels while improving the holding capacity of our lagoons are among the surest ways to minimize the risk of flooding in the country”.
He emphasized his ministry will ensure that the President’s directives are obeyed and implemented to the latter.
*Attitudinal change*
Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, the parent company of Dredge Masters Limited, Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong, in his statement said the introduction of the ultra-modern IHC beaver 50 dredger and marine equipment is aimed at bringing the dredging capacity of the Dredge Masters to an all-new level.
“As we provide this equipment, I like to admonish my fellow citizens to desist from throwing waste into water bodies”.
“This is because all the investments been made in this sector will not yield the expected results if our attitude does not change,” Dr Siaw Agyepong said.
*DML Ghana*
Dredge Masters Limited (DML Ghana) is a leading provider of cutting-edge modern technological dredging services in Ghana and across the African continent.
DML Ghana exists to provide comprehensive integrated dredging and related services to enhance environmental protection, inland dredging, marine resources and conservation life.
The company’s main motivation is to become the leading provider of dredging, marine and related services in Africa through sustained, environmentally friendly and effective standards.
