Flooding in Weija is a warning to encroachers in waterways

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Dr. Clifford Braimah, wants the flooding in Weija to serve as a warning to persons fond of encroaching on buffer zones and building in waterways.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Dr. Braimah explained that the devastation being caused was despite the controlled spillage of the Weija dam.

The dam has five gates that are as high as 21 feet, but four have been opened no more than six feet high.

Dr. Braimah stressed that residents needed to respect the buffer zones.

“I am sure this will be a serious caution to people selling around the place, whoever is selling round the place and whoever is buying around the place and whoever is building there.”

“The communities that get flooded should take it more seriously because the water will find itself entering into communities that are not supposed to be affected,” he said.

Hundreds of residents have been forced out of their homes by floodwaters which have taken over homes and streets in Weija.

The National Disaster Management Organisation has been on the ground and said it has so far rescued over 300 stranded people.

In response, the local government has created about three estuaries at the Bojo beach to facilitate the quicker flow of flood water into the sea.