Parliament has approved two separate loan facilities to the tune of about one hundred and two million Euro (€101,761,002.1) for the design and the construction of Nima drain from Kaokudi to the Odaw River Basin.
The project covers works to be undertaken on the already existing Nima drain in Accra Metropolitan Area and the scope of works includes:
a. Rehabilitation and enhancement of Nimo Drain PH.2 (3300M) from Nima Road to Odaw River. This is a major intervention which will be integrated with the city of Accra, through a holistic resolution of pressure and problems zones, together with the generation of city space elements;
b. Bockfilling the side banks on Phase l (Stretch between Obasanjo Highway and Mamobi Highway):
c. Construction of a rectangular (closed) section between Obasanjo Highway and Mamobl Highway);
d Construction of a rectangular (closed) section on the stretch between Mamobi Highway and Kojo Thompson Avenue; which comprises the necessary works for the foundation of the enhanced area over the new closed drain; and
e. Modification of the existing output of the Nima Drain into the Odaw River rotating it to a 45 degree angle output.
The total amount is Up to €101,760,002.01 made up of an EKF facility of up to €91, 375 307. 01 and a Commercial facility of up of €10,384,695.00.
The Committee in its report observed that Mamobi, a suburb of Accra has been experiencing perennial flooding which usually leads to loss of human life, damage to property, and loss of livestock.
It has explained that “the main causes of the flooding were the Nima drain and poor waste management.
The Nima drain is poorly maintained and poor waste management habits has adversely affected the surrounding communities”.
According to the report, the drain is blocked with filth leading to stagnation of water.
“This makes the people around the drainage system susceptible to infections from mosquitoes and other insects as well as numerous air and water borne diseases, the report noted.
The Committee was informed that a number of stop gap measures have been put in place to resolve the issue but these measures have not been successful.
Story filed by Edzorna Francis Mensah
