By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Salakope (V/R), Feb. 21, GNA – The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has pledged to provide a lasting solution to prevent devastations caused by sea surges or tidal wave destruction, that continue to displace thousands of residents along the coast of the Volta region.
The tidal wave, which has recently resurfaced at Salakope, Amutsinu and Gavedzi in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta region, has displaced hundreds of residents and affected economic activities.
Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, the Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, during a visit to the three coastal communities to conduct a thorough assessment, emphasised that the situation needed urgent attention to save the people, as well as the land from further destruction.
“What we have to do now is to help provide a more sustainable sea defense wall and also reclaim the land for the people to provide a lasting solution to the situation, to safeguard properties and life and boost economic activities,” she said.
Professor Browne Klutse, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said that the EPA would work in collaboration with development partners and the government, to as early as possible provide a sustainable solution to the tidal wave problems.
She said that the EPA had observed the destruction of many properties including houses, and that the necessary recommendations would be provided to the government for immediate action.
“We have observed and understand that if early lasting solution are not provided to address the situation, it can escalate to affect healthcare delivery, properties loss and even result in the sea crossing the main Keta-Aflao road, and that would cause more frustration and hardship for the residents,” she said.
She urged various coastal communities to collaborate with the EPA, government and other non-governmental agencies that would be involved in finding a sustainable solution to the situation.
Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, who was also around to assess the situation, told the GNA that the government would make the necessary efforts within their power to protect the residents from the devastating situation.
“We are here because we care for our people, fortunately people from the EPA are also here to assess the situation and provide the necessary immediate suggestions to government, we hope very soon all this will be a past thing,” he said.
He said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government was committed to finding a lasting solution to the situation.
Mr Eben Asah, the Assembly member of the area, commended the EPA and Mr James Gunu for the gesture and hoped that a fast-track solution would be found, which included the construction of a defense wall and dredging of the sea would done to safeguard the coast.
He shared some trauma and displacement experienced by the people and stressed the urgent need for dredging as the previous groin construction has proven ineffective.
The GNA also observed that many buildings had collapsed due to the tidal waves, leaving many residents homeless with a massive effect on businesses and other economic activities.
Some affected residents appealed to the government, philanthropists, and corporate organisations, to attach more seriousness to their plight and help sustain their livelihoods.
GNA