Floods to continue until major drains are completed

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) on Tuesday said that until the major drains under construction were completed and property on waterways pulled down, the Accra-Tema Metropolis would continue to suffer immensely from floods.

Brigadier Joseph Odei, National Co-ordinator of NADMO, said this after a six-hour downpour in the city of Accra in the early hours of Tuesday left most low-lying areas flooded.

"We would continue to live in these situations until a lasting solution, which is effective drainage system is constructed," he told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview on the telephone.

He noted that one major problem facing NADMO was its in ability to demolish structures on waterways at flood-prone areas.

He said until a new legislation was enacted to give NADMO the power of enforcement it would only have to continue advising people in these areas and set up contingencies to mitigate the effects of floods.

Brigadier Odei said, even though, some people were aware of the dangers in their areas they were reluctant to move and even when they want to move, they expected some form of compensation.

Giving the GNA an overview of the situation so far, Mr James Owusu-Amoah, Public Affairs Co-ordinator of NADMO, said the organisation had contingency plans to cater for any eventuality.

He said the Armed Forces, Police and Ghana National Fire Service were on the look out for any distress situation to assist in minimising any casualties.

He said NADMO had its first distress call at 0045 hours from the Mataheko First Light area where some people were stuck and the team of security personnel went to their rescue.

Mr Owusu-Amoah said the worst affected areas included Alajo, Sampa Valley, Sowutuom, Banana Inn, Mataheko and Otojor.

He said NADMO had identified places where it would camp victims of the floods. They include Odorkor Police Station at Mataheko, Dansoman SSNIT Park, Tesano Police Barracks, Freedom and Justice Park at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle and the Kpeshie Police Station.

He said NADMO had in place tents and other relief items for victims.

On destruction so far Mr Owusu-Amoah noted that even though NADMO officials were yet to give out detailed assessment, it had not received any news of casualties so far, adding that property lost were mainly domestic appliances and personal effects.