Government secures 68 million euros to desilt Korle lagoon

Accra, Jan. 11, GNA - Dr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, on Wednesday said Government has secured 68 million euros funding from the Netherlands Government to desilt the Korle Lagoon and construct more drains in the Metropolis.

He said most of the drains would be constructed in flooding areas and advised the people to appreciate the project to protect lives and property in the Metropolis.

Dr Vanderpuije announced this when he was addressing journalists after inspecting on-going desilting projects at Awoshie, Avenor, Odawna and Sodom and Gomorrah in Accra.

He said illegal structures at Sodom and Gomorrah along the lagoon would be demolished to pave way for desilting and construction works. Dr Vanderpuije noted that the floods that hit Accra and its environs in October last year, were due to poor drainage system and improper handling of filth, and stressed the need for the assembly to clear all illegal structures closer to drains, and reconstruct big ones to ensure easy in-flow of water, especially during the rainy season.

Mr Graham Sarbah, Accra Metropolitan Engineer, said about 50 per cent of work had been completed in areas visited and the rest would be completed within a month.