Gov't not forgotten tidal wave victims in Ketu South - Volta Minister

Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, has reaffirmed that the government is committed to safeguarding residents of Salakope, Amutsinu and Agavedzi in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region from the devastations of tidal wave.

He said that the continuation of phase-two of Blekusu Sea Defense wall, which was considered and expected to provide an everlasting solution to the devastation would be constructed to safeguard the area.

Mr Gunu, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, during the inauguration of a seven-member committee to investigate the alleged abuses in the reclaimed land issues at Keta, said that the government would work within the budget allocated by the finance Minister in the 2025 budgets and were working hard to provide lasting solution to the tidal wave challenges.

“The budget provided to resolve the challenges needed to pass through various processes for the continuation of face-two of Blekusu sea defense, government is still working hard toward the construction,” he said.

Mr Gunu alleged that the previous government led by Nana Addo fabandoned the sea defense project started by President John Dramani Mahama in his first terms and pledged that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would always prioritise the welfare of all citizens in the area.

He said President Mahama has fulfilled his first promised made to ensure a budget money was allocated to provide solution to the tidal wave challenges and urged residents and the victims to remain calm and rally behind the government to provide lasting solution to the problems.

“The MCE for Ketu South and myself will visit the affected areas; we will present them with some food items and others for victims as we wait for the bigger answer to prevent further unforeseen disasters.”

Mr Gunu said that plans have been considered to find a designated place were temporal tent and structures would be erected for affected victims to lodge to serve them from sleeping in an open place, which was deemed dangerous after many buildings and structures were destroyed by the sea.

He said that the government would also re-contact the Ghana Gas Company and their contractors to design and rebuild proper structures that would be capable to host tidal wave victims “since the previous structures built by the Company is not in good shape and poses danger to humanity.”

He said for the safety of the residents in the areas to be guaranteed as well as to continue the use of electricity power in these areas, Mr Julius Kpekpena, the Managing Director of Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) was contacted to approve for relocation of high-tension electricity poles.

He said Mr Governance Kwame Agbodza, the Minister for Roads and Highways who doubled as the Member of Parliament (MP) of Adaklu in the region, was also contacted to provide better solutions and alternatives to save the road from been destroyed by the devastating sea waves.

Mr Gunu believed that the best form of solution to be provided to safeguard the people of Salakope, Amutsinu, Agavedzi and the surrounding communities was to build a stronger sea defense wall which the government was poised to provide in due time.

Meanwhile, a visit by the GNA to the affected areas on Monday, May 12, revealed that the tidal waves destruction was continuing and urgent attention was required to solve the challenges.

The residents are appealing to the government to speed up its activities and provide urgent solutions to prevent further devastation and unforeseen dangers in the areas.

GNA