June 3 disaster: Government has not done enough to help us – Odawna residents decry

It’s been four years on since the June 3 twin disaster and residents still have fears of a possible reoccurrence, because, from their observation, government has not done enough to improve their situation.

On 3rd June 2015, 154 people lost their lives in a devastating flood and fire explosions with over 150 persons sustaining various degrees of burns in the incident.

There was no sign of an event to commemorate the fourth year of the rather sad incident when GhanaWeb visited the disaster scene.

Commenting on the interventions put in place by both the previous and the ruling governments to prevent any such occurrence in the future, a section of residents and commuters who spoke to the news team fumed at both governments for underestimating the severance of floods in the area.

“For the June 3, 2019 disaster, a lot of people died, but with there hasn’t been enough improvement around here, thereafter. Just last week’s rains flooded our rooms. Because this is a low-lying area, the sediments are deposited here anytime it rains,” a resident said.

“If you were here last few days when it rained, you’ll know that if there’s no serious reinforcement, there’s going to be a problem,” another noted.

They attributed the main cause of the incident to the severe floods in communities located along the Odaw. Some observed that, the death toll wouldn’t have been that high if the floods were not severe.

Nonetheless, they have called on government to conduct regular dredging in the Odaw to prevent the constant pileup of plastic waste and hopefully avert such occurrences in the future.

“We’re pleading with government to work on this project for us, this is actually not the first time they’re dredging,” another appealed.

Gutters around the area which are tributaries to the Odaw River are still choked with plastic waste.

Touching on the issue of compensations, a victim of the disaster indicated that, the authorities in charge of the disbursement have discriminated against some recipients. He emphasized with frustration that he is yet to receive compensation from authorities.

“There has not been any improvement in this area after the June 3rd disaster. My house is a mess now, you won’t feel happy for me. We are always rendered homeless anytime it rains. I am a victim of the June 3rd disaster and till date, I have not received a dime as compensation.”

Despite the frustrations of victims and residents in the area, plaudits rained in for Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, Dr. Zanetor Rawlings for her continual effort in preventing such. occurrence.

Dr. Rawlings on Sunday, June 2, 2019, visited victims of last Wednesday’s floods together with the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama.

They also paid for debris left in the wake of the floods to be cleared.