Minister and Ambassador inspect drainage systems in Takoradi

Takoradi, June 24, GNA - The Minster for Works and Housing, Mr Samuel Atta Akyea has stressed the need for a comprehensive programme to solve the country's drainage problems.

He said the kind of investment the nation had towards the drainage system in the country was pathetic, adding,"if we look at the problem we cannot solve it from our budgetary allocations so we need external and foreign investment in this direction".

The Minister was briefing Journalists during an inspection tour with the Ambassador of Hungary, Andras Szabo and a team of experts to flood prone areas in the Sekondi -Takoradi Metropolis to assess the impact of the rains.

The delegation, led by the Western Regional Hydrologist Reverend Gustav Dzokoto visited suburbs such as Esikafoabatem number one, Apremdo, and selected fuel stations to assess the current situation.

The Ambassador of Hungary Andras Szabo, on his part expressed worry about the poor sewage systems and the lack of spatial planning for development.

'We are going to undertake visibility analysis in order to get a permanent solution to the problem…population has also increased and there is the need to re-assess and construct new drains to befit the status of the Metropolis.'

Mr Szabo said the Embassy was in negotiations with other Ministries involved in this problem.

The team later visited landfill site at Sofokrom, where it was realized that the stabilisation plant which was responsible for collecting liquid waste was outdated, not sufficient and sustainable for long-term.

GNA

By Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA