Hohoe (V/R), March 01, GNA – A project dubbed “Save River Dayi” has been launched in Hohoe to revive the River Dayi from becoming extinct.
The River, located in the Hohoe Municipality takes its source from Lolobi in the Oti Region and flows through Hohoe town to Gbi Godenu.
Professor Patrick K. Agbesinyale, Chief Director, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, said the River Dayi was threatened by extinction, hence the initiative to revive it.
“We acknowledge that Hohoe has grown with its population. Unfortunately, the River runs through the centre of the city so it has become urbanised and you get all kinds of rubbish, solid or liquid waste in the River.”
He noted that the river once served the community for decades.
Prof Agbesinyale said the project sought to clean the River, remove all the rubbish from it, while making sure that all inlets including culverts and sewerage were desilted to prevent garbage from being channeled into it.
He said another way of enhancing and sustaining the project was the enforcement of legislation.
“Government’s regulation is that no human activity is permitted within 50 metres to the banks of the River. Together with the Assembly, we have to enforce this to prohibit human activities close to the River.”
Professor Agbesinyale noted that plans have been advanced to plant 150,000 trees including economic trees along the two banks of the river to create the needed ambiance for the survival of the River.
He said River Guards had been instituted to ensure that laws were enforced and prevent human activities close to the River.
The Director called on Chiefs, the youth, media and other stakeholders to rally to help save River Dayi to serve generations yet unborn.
Togbe Adzofuwusu IV, Divisional Chief of Gbi-Atabu, described the project as a laudable one.
He urged the Guards to continue the good works they were doing to let everyone know that it was good “we sustain this River Dayi by which we the people of Gbi Traditional Area lived.”
Mr Hilarius Kofi Gockel, Hohoe Municipal Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), who represented the Municipal Chief Executive, commended the initiative.
He said there was the need for tree planting due to climate changes.
Mr Gockel noted that NADMO had also embarked on tree planting exercise in the Municipality and pledged to support the project with regard to planting of the trees.
He noted that building in marshy areas was on the rise in the Municipality and steps must be taken to avert the act before problems set in.
Mr Agbe Tsriku, Coordinator of the River Guards, noted that there were 30 members voluntarily working to make the project successful.
He said they would continue to work and also carry out extensive education to ensure that their aims were achieved.
GNA