Akufo-Addo to construct ‘Dubai underground’ at Nkrumah Circle

Government is to begin the construction of underground drains at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra as one of the key measures prevent the recurrent flooding in and around the area.

Already, the United States of America, Brazil and Israel have expressed interest in helping to construct the drains, Minister for Works and Housing, Samuel Atta-Akyea said on Onua FM Monday. A heavy downpour in most parts of Accra Sunday flooded almost every part of the newly construct Kwame Nkrumah Circle interchange, which is unofficially referred to as ‘Circle Dubai’.

“Very soon we shall start[the construction] because it is our topmost priority and America, Brazil and Israel are the countries which have shown interest to help us and we shall go in and see which one will help the nation before we start the project,” Mr Atta-Akyea told host of Ghana Dadwene, Nana Yaw Opare. “We shall solve it once and for all.

We need a very comprehensive dredging system that will stop the flooding because we always do touch and go”, Mr. Atta-Akyea added. Mr. Atta-Akyea added that “someone [government] did Dubai and we shall do Dubai underground where the water will be underground and then it goes into the sea”. He said Ghana needs a permanent solution the flooding noting the government is looking for money to execute it the underground drains project, which he said would cost 700 million dollars.

The minister expressed optimism that funds would be secured funds for work to commence soon. Residents’ contribution Mr Atta-Akyea observed that activities of the people in Accra have also contributed to the flooding situation in parts of Accra, especially Circle, hence the need for attitudinal change.

He noted some residents dump their solid waste into drains whenever it rains; something he said contributes to drains overflows, thus destroying properties.