Akropong (W/R), July 12, GNA- The Western Regional Minister, Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, has announced that plans were far advanced for residents of Nzema Akropong in the Ellembelle District to be resettled by the government to hilly and safer grounds.
The resettlement plan followed the recent flood of houses in low lying areas in the community.
It would be recalled that Nzema Akropong was hard hit by severe floods a few weeks ago in which buildings in the entire community were submerged in water.
In all, about 156 structures inhabited by 560 residents were ravaged by the flood and rendered them homeless.
Mr Darko-Mensah assured the community that social amenities such as potable water, electricity,toilet facilities, access routes and recreational facilities, have been factored into the resettlement plan.
He said adequate compensation would be paid to residents whose crops, both arable and permanent, would be destroyed during the resettlement exercise.
Mr. Darko-Mensah congratulated the residents for coming to terms with the District Assembly to make the resettlement plan smooth.
District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ellembelle, Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh said the technical team of the Assembly was billed to map up strategies for the relocation process to ensure that all affected structures were covered.
He recounted that the floods at Akropong were becoming a perennial ritual after the first incident in 2009.
Mr.Bonzoh said he had visited the flood victims for the third time in the recent incident, indicating that this was the third time the community had experienced the natural disaster, which called for a concerted effort to remedy the situation.
Three major rivers surrounding Nzema Akropong namely, the River Nrenle, Netenete and River Srasra overflow their banks during the rains leading to a spillover to flood the Akropong community.
GNA