The minister of works and housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has acknowledged that the government is running behind schedule in putting policies in place to deal with the ongoing flooding in the capital.

Since joining the Housing Ministry, the MP for Ofoase Ayeribi said that one of his main worries has been the flooding situation.

He stated on JoyNews’ PM Express on Wednesday, “When the rains start here in Accra, you start getting palpitations because you start worrying, knowing very well that there will be challenges due to the inadequacy of the work done so far compared to the increasing pressure.”

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah went on to say that he makes an effort to ascertain the severity of the situation on the ground, the extent to which work can be done to contain it, and the immediate to medium-term demands.

“It presents a challenge. We are running behind schedule when it comes to installing the necessary infrastructure, as I have stated several times. We’re doing our best, therefore, within the limitations,” he said.

Rebuilding the Nima-Paloma storm drain, which runs from Asylum Down to the Odaw Channel, began last week, thanks to the efforts of the Housing Minister and the government to improve flood resilience in communities along the Odaw River basin.

“It is anticipated that this noteworthy achievement will contribute to lessening Accra’s ongoing flooding problems and provide much-needed respite to locals, commuters, traders, and enterprises.”

During the event, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah also revealed that the government’s recently established Flood Early Warning System would be prepared before to the upcoming wet season.

“While structural interventions alone will not completely eliminate Accra’s flooding challenges,

the Ministry of Works and Housing, in collaboration with the Ghana Hydro Authority, Water Resources Commission, Ghana Meteorological Agency, and NADMO, is developing a flood early warning system for the Greater Accra Region through the GARID Project. Residents in flood-prone communities will receive advance notice of impending floods, allowing them to take precautions to preserve their lives and property”.

The Minister confirmed that Parliament has granted $250 million for the GARID Project.

“The Project addresses one of around eight or so waterways in the Greater Accra Region that transport large amounts of water out of the capital when it rains. That money was expected to be a supplement to assist pay for some previously underfunded program components as well as some price variations,” he stated.

He stated that the Ministry will hand over the storm drains in Kaneshie to the contractor within the next three weeks so that work may begin.

Kaneshie is among the regions that receive substantial amounts of water. More depth and extension are needed when considering the type of drains that were initially built and the technology that was employed. Every time it rains, especially from the bank quarters intersection, Kaneshie will flood if it isn’t done.

“We also need to construct retention ponds directly beneath the Aburi Mountain in order to store a lot more water and then release it out of Accra.”

With part of the project’s funding now accessible, he is optimistic that additional work will be made to lessen the flooding issue.

BY: APPIANIMAA MERCY