Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu South Dzifa Gomashie says it is about time the plight of coastal dwellers in the Volta Region received the attention of the President.
This is because tidal waves continue to wreak havoc in these communities while nothing is done to remedy it.
She was speaking to GBC News after tidal waves destroyed coastal towns in Ketu South, Keta and adjoining communities over the weekend, where thousands are feared displaced.
The MP said the road linking Aflao, Keta and Anloga is in danger. Madam Gomashie told Nathaniel Nartey that she raised the concerns with the National Disaster Management Organisation, NADMO, but the response was not favourable.
”The National NADMO Coordinator came here to Ketu South and when I spoke he disrespected me and dared to call me a liar because I had challenged the system to provide evidence of what intervention has been done and as we speak, deja vu. I filed a question in Parliament then the Minister for Works and Housing came to answer the question and followed up with a visit to the area which I think he did well, but beyond that I want to see that the promises he made are bearing fruits. He assured us that by the close of the year, the Sea Defense project will be continued but as we speak, I haven’t seen anything”, she lamented.
Responding to the claims, Director of Communications at NADMO George Ayisi, asked the Ketu South MP to direct her concerns to the Ministry of Works and Housing.
He said NADMO has not ignored any warnings and will continue to take measures within its mandate to assist Ghanaians who are victims of natural disasters.
”If you are moving a huge community it involves a huge capital outlay….the Minister of Works and Housing must wade in at a top level discussion and I believe she (Dzifa Gomashie) as a member of Parliament can also play a significant role in collaboration with the DG of NADMO in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Housing so we can make progress in especially relocating them. She may say these things to us but it doesn’t mean we are ignoring, he noted.
Mr Ayisi said NADMO is currently undertaking assessment of the situation to determine which relief items would be needed by victims.
He said NADMO is facing some difficulties in its bid to provide temporary shelters to victims because they are refusing to move out of their flooded homes.
”The sea water has flooded almost all households and some because of the fear of losing their property are not moving out of their homes. They are devising alternative means to be there which is not too good for us. We are getting (temporary) alternative places for them to move. For now I can’t tell which site they will be relocating to”, the NADMO Boss posited.
