Government to alleviate plight of flood victims

Accra, June 15, GNA - The Minister of the Interior, Papa Owusu-Ankomah on Wednesday assured flood victims across the country that government would help to alleviate their plight.

He said Cabinet had met over the issue of flooding in the country and had instituted measures to provide necessary relief items and technical assistance through the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to the affected people.

The Minister was responding to a statement on flooding in the Central Region by Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, NPP MP for Mfantseman West. Papa Owusu-Ankomah said natural disasters are sometimes unpreventable but Ghanaians should endeavour to do the right thing so that when it happens its impact would be minimal.

"We need to take care of our environment; avoid building on waterways, choking gutters with plastic waste and the enforce of by-laws by the district assemblies."

Papa Owusu-Ankomah extended its sympathy to the people of Cape Coast and the parents of a five-year-old boy who died as the result of the floods.

In his statement, Mr. Asamoah-Boateng said a recent downpour resulted in floods, which led to massive destruction of properties in his constituency.

He said NADMO reported that more than 15 houses collapsed while three major landslides were recorded and many streets and bridges washed away.

Mr. Asamoah-Boateng described the Central Region as disaster zone that required emergency action by government.

He appealed for blanket, mattresses, roofing sheets, cement and some food items to ameliorate the plight of those whose foodstuff were destroyed. He also called for some monetary compensation for businessmen and women mostly traders who lost valuable items and income. The MP said as a long-term solution, engineers must redesign the bridges, drains, culverts in the affected areas. He said assemblies must enforce by-laws prohibiting the erection of structures on waterways.