By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Bolove-Nolopi (V/R), July 04, GNA-The road linking Bolove-Nolopi and other communities in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region has been submerged by floodwaters, cutting off residents from accessing essential services.
Residents and motorists are, therefore, urgently appealing for support from relevant authorities.
The flooding, which residents attribute to the rising water levels within the Keta lagoon in recent weeks, has rendered the road impassable, making it difficult for vehicles and pedestrians to commute between other communities.
Mr Godwin Gbekle, a resident of the area, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the situation had worsened over the past few days, with some sections of the road now completely covered in water which forced many to either wade through the floodwaters or seek alternative longer routes to reach their destinations.
“The roads are still being submerged road after few days of that heavy rainfall, this situation is disrupting our daily activities within the community, including access to schools, health facilities and markets, commercial vehicles are unable to ply the affected route as well,” he said
He noted that school children in particular had borne the brunt of the situation, as some were unable to attend classes for fear of wading through the floodwaters, while others risked their safety doing so daily.
Mr Gbekle lamented the economic impact of the flooding, explaining that traders and farmers who depended on the road to transport goods and produce to and from the community had suffered significant losses due to the disruption.
He said: “We are appealing to the authorities of the Keta Municipal Assembly and other relevant state agencies to as a matter of urgency come to the aid of the affected communities, either by constructing a raised causeway or providing alternative means of transportation to ease the hardship we are going through.”
He further called for the extension of the ongoing flood mitigation efforts, including the opening of floodgates within the lagoon system, to cover areas such as Bolove and Nolopi, which he said had been left out despite bearing the brunt of the flooding.
Some other community leaders, speaking to the GNA, indicated that the situation had persisted for weeks without any significant intervention, and described the lack of response from authorities as worrying, given the essential nature of the road to the livelihoods of the people.
They further called on the Assembly to engage the affected communities and provide clarity on any planned interventions to address the flooding, stressing the need for both immediate relief measures and long-term solutions to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
Residents also appealed to philanthropic organisations and individuals to consider extending support to the affected communities, particularly households that had recorded damage to property as a result of the floodwaters.
As the appeal for support continues, residents of Bolove and Nolopi remain hopeful that the relevant authorities would act swiftly to restore access to the submerged road and provide the needed relief to ease the impact of the flooding on their daily lives.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah