Minister inspects Ada Coastal Line Project

Alhaji Collins Dawuda, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing (MWR&WH) on Thursday inspected ongoing works at the Ada Coastal Protection project in the Ada East District of the Greater Accra Region.

The protection works, which is in two-phases, would cost 225 million euros, and its being handled by the International Marine and Dredging Consultants and Dredging International, both from Belgium.

It was awarded to the companies in 2011 by the MWR&WH with funding from the Government of Belgium.

The first phase, a five-kilometer stretch, at a cost of 60 million euros started in January 2012, was completed in August 2013 five months ahead of schedule.

The second-phase which is a 10-kilometer stretch, costing of 165 million euros is expected to be completed in March 2016.

Alhaji Dawuda said Government will continue to borrow to protect the country’s coastal lines, as well as protect lives and property of the citizens.

He said the protection of the coastal lines is an advantage for government to stabilize its Internal Generating Funds through the tourism development for national development.

Alhaji Dawuda noted that every part of Ghana’s coastal lines need protection, and that government alone cannot bear the cost involved in the protection of the country’s coastal lines.

He said about 500 acres of land were protected in the first-phase and that the MWR&WH will invite the Ministry of Tourism and the Ada East District Assembly to take advantage of the land for tourism development to generate income for national development.

He appealed to the community to cooperate with the contractors for a smooth work.

Mr. Andre Oliver, Project Manager for Dredging International said the second-phase is 25 per cent completed and is expected to construct 15 Wet Groynes over a 10-kilometer stretch of the costal lines.

He said, as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility, the Dredging has so far build a toilet facility for the community and has also formed a football team to foster unity among the people, adding that, “There is request by the community for the upgrading of their market which we are yet to look at.”

Later in the Day, Alhaji Dawuda and Nii Laryea Afotey-Agbo, Greater Accra Regional Minister visited the land of the Industrial Section of the Department of Rural Housing under the MWR&WH, which has been leased to a Superbuild Construction, a private developer by the Lands Commission in 2012.

Alhaji Dawuda warned the land Commission to desist from leasing public lands intended for public use to private developers.

He appealed to the judiciary to save all public lands which come to the court for adjudication, “especially this land which is for the development of the youth of this country.”

Mr Afotey-Agbo said since he is the Chairman of the Regional Security Council, “I will make all efforts to protect the lands within the Greater Accra Region.”

Mr Deborah A. Kuwornu, Acting Director of the Department of Rural Housing said the Contractor destroyed nine structures on the land meant for the training of the youth in Basketry, Brick making and other building materials.