The Parliamentary Select Committee on Works and Housing has intimated that, to effectively and efficiently deal with perennial floods in some parts of Ghana, The Ministry needs approximately Five Hundred and Twenty Four Million Ghana Cedis (523,900,000.00).
The Committee submitted that to enable the Ministry, “effectively and efficiently, implement its planned programmes for the year 2020 in the area of Management of the country’s Coastal Protection Works, Storm Water Drainage Projects, Operational Hydrology and Affordable Housing Schemes, the Ministry would require a budgetary allocation of One Billion, Four Hundred and Twenty-three Million Ghana Cedis (GH¢ 1,423,000,000. 00)”, to be expended as follows: Flood Control GH¢ 523,900,000.00, Coastal protection GH¢600,000,000.00, Security Services Housing, GH¢ 220,000,000.00; and Other programmes GH¢ 79,100,000.00.
The Committee made these recommendations when it presents for the approval, the sum of One Hundred and Forty-seven Million, Five hundred and Twenty-nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety-eight Ghana Cedis (GH¢ 147,529,298.00) to enable the Ministry of Works and Housing implement its programmes and activities for the 2020 Financial Year.
The Committee observed that there is no proper correlation between the planned programmes of the Ministry and the actual budget allocation from the Ministry of Finance (MoF).
The Committee reffered to the GH¢ 147,529,298.00 budget estimates as “acute budget situation”, which it noted has “culminated in a problem resolving approach (“tire-flghting”) instead of a holistic approach that could fully deal with the various challenges that confront the sector”.
The House since approved the estimates for the ministry to continue to protect lives, livelihood and properties of vulnerable communities from tidal wave erosion among others.
“The current stages of completion of these projects are Blekusu (100 percent), Adjoa (95 percent), Elmina (85 percent), Dansoman (80percent), Amanfu Kumah (50 percent), Dixcove (30 percent) and Axim (24 percent).
Construction also commenced on the Cape Coast, Komenda and Anomabu coastal
protection works and will continue in earnest through 2020″.
According to the report, The Ministry will continue drainage improvement works to mitigate the disaster risks associated with flooding in various parts of the country.
“These projects included Sakaman Lot 1 and Goaso Lots 1 and 2, which are progressing steadily. The drainage works at Ejura Lots 2 and Tepa Lots 1 and 2 and 32%, 100% and 10% complete respectfully.
Story filed by Edzorna Francis Mensah
