The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has blamed the destruction caused by flooding from the spillage of the Weija Dam on the apparent lawlessness of some residents in the in the Ga South Municipality.
In an interview with Citi News, the Communications Director of the Company Stanley Martey said some homes had been built in the dam’s buffer zone.
“If we are stopping building within the buffer zone and within the course of the river and we dredge, the water will flow directly into the sea, and we wouldn’t have any problem.”
The Weija dam operates at a water capacity of 48 feet, and it is spilled when it exceeds the maximum capacity.
According to Mr. Martey, the GWCL embarks on sensitisation every year before the spillage, but most residents in danger have rejected evacuation proposals.
“It is the anti-social and recalcitrant citizens amongst us who actually who actually do not follow instructions and build at unauthorized places.”
The way forward for Mr. Martey involves some more proactivity from the government.
“What we expect is that the district assembly will stop people from building at unauthorized places,” he said.
After the recent spillage and resulting flooding, some residents remain defiant and insist on staying in the buffer zone.
When Citi News visited the area, residents were going about their regular domestic activities despite the flooding
Some belongings were seen floating on the surface of the spilt water.
The bottom line for them is the fact they do not have alternative accommodation so relocating from the area is impossible.
Some said relocation would only become an option with government intervention. A few other residents felt the spillage in 2018 was less destructive than in previous years.
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By: Nana Tuffuor & Delali Adogla-Bessa/citinewsroom.com/Ghana