V/R: Adidome floods expose planning gaps, spark compensation calls

Floods in Adidome in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region have exposed land use and drainage failures, with residents demanding compensation, emergency health interventions and urgent government action.

Mr Guggisberg Fiagbenu, Assembly Member for the Adidome Central Electoral Area, said the flooding reflected long-standing weaknesses in spatial planning and enforcement that had contributed to recurring floods in the area.

He said several households had been affected, with homes inundated, property destroyed, and economic activities disrupted.

According to him, the impact extended beyond residential areas, as downstream farmlands had been submerged, affecting food production and household incomes, while waterlogged access routes had prevented some residents from reporting to work.

Mr Fiagbenu attributed the recurring floods to weak enforcement of planning regulations, which had allowed construction on waterways and low-lying areas, worsening drainage during heavy rains.

He stressed the need for stronger supervision by the District Assembly before land was acquired or developed to ensure buildings were not sited on natural waterways.

He also proposed that landowners and developers be required to seek verification from the Assembly before selling or developing land to determine whether it obstructed natural drainage channels and posed flood risks.

Mr Fiagbenu said that where government deemed it necessary to demolish structures on waterways, affected persons should receive adequate compensation, while demolition exercises should be communicated well in advance to allow for orderly relocation.

He further called for a review of land use Legislative Instruments and stronger enforcement mechanisms to regulate development and protect natural drainage systems.

He advocated a coordinated approach involving government, traditional authorities and landowners to prevent encroachment on waterways and improve drainage infrastructure across the district.

Residents who spoke to the Ghana News Agency said they were struggling to recover from the floods, with many households losing personal belongings and small businesses suffering significant losses.

They appealed to the government to provide relief and livelihood support to ease their economic hardship.

Residents also expressed concern over the growing public health risk posed by stagnant water, warning of possible outbreaks of waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases.

Mr Fiagbenu called for the immediate deployment of health teams to assess conditions and provide preventive and emergency medical support to affected households.

He warned that without urgent intervention and comprehensive planning reforms, Adidome would continue to experience recurrent flooding that undermined development and local economic stability. Mr Guggisberg Fiagbenu, Assembly Member for the Adidome Central Electoral Area

GNA