NADMO prepares for possible Dam spillage

Accra, Oct. 21, GNA - The National Disaster Management Organisation has established a National Technical Committee to inspect the Volta Basin area, from Akosombo to the Volta River estuary at Ada as part of preparations towards the possible spillage of water from the Akosombo Dam.

The Committee is made up of personnel from NADMO, Survey Department, Electricity Company of Ghana, the Consortium of NDOs, the Ghana Armed Forces, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing and the National Ambulance Service. This is contained in a statement issued in Accra on Thursday by Mr Kofi Portuphy, National Coordinator of NADMO.

It said the Committee would split into two teams and move into their respective areas on Friday, October 22. One team will be in charge of the basin from Akosombo to Kpong whilst the other team will move to the Ada-Sogakope area. Roles to be played by the teams include assessment of possible effects of the spillage, advice on relocation of vulnerable communities and sensitization of the communities along the basin. The statement said as part of the response plan, all Disaster Management Committees in the Regions and Districts likely to be affected by floods due to the spillage had activated their flood response contingencies.

"Additionally, NADMO, VRA and the other emergency response agencies have intensified public education and sensitization in the vulnerable communities on the need to re-locate to protect lives", it said. Regions likely to be affected by the spillage are Northern, Greater Accra, Brong Ahafo, Ashanti, Eastern and Volta. About 177,000 people are likely to be affected nationwide.

The statement said NADMO had also deployed monitoring systems in all the catchment areas to monitor water levels and advice the communities accordingly.

It said District Co-ordinators of NADMO and District Assemblies were also preparing identified safe havens to shelter any displaced people in the event of any flooding.

Meanwhile, the joint 48 Engineer Regiment-NADMO Urban Search and Rescue Team is on standby to move in should it become necessary. The statement said the Disaster Volunteer Groups and Zonal Co-ordinators of NADMO were available in the communities to assist in their re-location.

"NADMO wishes to assure the general public, especially communities within the catchment areas, that measures are being taken to ensure the protection of lives and properties should the spillage cause any massive flooding.

"They should remain calm, listen and adhere to advice from the experts and try to be in touch with their respective Local Government Authorities for the necessary guidance." NADMO said measures were being taken to ensure the protection of lives and properties should the spillage cause any massive flooding.