By Iddi Yire, GNA
Denu (V/R), March 7, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has directed the finance minister to allocate funds in the 2025 Budget for the Phase Two of the Blekusu Sea Defence Wall Project in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region.
A recent tidal waves in the area affected 51 households, displaced 300 people and washed away 80 meters of the coastline.
The President, immediately after delivering his Independence Day Anniversary speech at the Presidency in Accra on Thursday, travelled to the Ketu South Municipality to inspect the ravages of coastal erosion caused by tidal waves.
Addressing a durbar of the chiefs and people of Ketu South at Agavedzi, after inspecting the affected communities, he reiterated the need for the Government to prioritise the protection of communities from tidal waves erosion.
President Mahama noted that his first administration started a sea defence project, called the Blekusu Phase-One, and that the feasibility study was also done for the second phase.
“The understanding was that when the contractor finishes Phase 1, he would continue with Phase 2. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. So, the project ended at Phase 1,” he said.
The New Patriotic Party-led government, he noted, did not provide funding to continue Phase-Two, which would have covered Agavedzi, Salakope, Adena and Amutinu.
“And so that basically is the problem. If the feasibility study is ready, the design is ready, we just have to allocate the funding so that the project will start.”
The President presented some items for distribution to alleviate the plight of the displaced persons.
“I just want you to know that the Government has not forgotten about you. We are going to do everything possible to make sure that we ameliorate the plight that you are going through,” he assured.
The items were from three sources; Mr Ibrahim Mahama, the Managing Director of Engineers and Planners, whose mother hails from Denu; Mr Governs Kwame Agbodza, Minister of Roads and Highways, and NDC Member of Parliament for Adaklu, the NDC Volta Regional Caucus in Parliament and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
Mr Ibrahim Mahama, also the President’s brother,donated GH¢100,000, Mr Gbodza gave 250 bags of rice, the NDC Volta Regional Caucus donated GH¢100,000, while NADMO presented 500 bags of rice, 200 cartons of cooking oil, and 100 cartons of soap.
It also gave 30 cartons of mosquito coil, 1,000 pieces of mosquito nets, 300 pieces of blankets, 20 bills of used clothing, 300 pieces of plastic buckets, 100 pieces of plastic basins, 500 pieces of plastic cups, and 300 pieces of plastic plates.
The President informed the durbar that Madam Dzifa Abla Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, and NDC MP for Ketu South, was on a national assignment outside the country and would meet with the chiefs upon her return to facilitate the process.
Before visiting Agavedzi, the President inspected the resettlement housing project for tidal waves erosionvictims at Salakope, which was being financed by Ghana Gas Company Limited.
“I don’t think the project was well thought through. The work is shoddy. And even the area where the resettlement is being built is a flat area.”
“And so, if it floods, it will affect those buildings too. And so those buildings are not fit for purpose.”
“There are two things we need to do. Start the building of Phase 2 of the defence wall, but at the same time, resettle those whose houses have been affected. We will look for a more suitable site for the resettlement project.”
The President was accompanied by Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
On the eve of Ghana’s 68th Independence Anniversary, Mr Gunu spent the night outdoors with victims of the tidal wave disaster at Agavedzi and surrounding communities, offering support and solidarity.
GNA