The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Samuel Atta Akyea, has assured President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that the Odawna-Sahara drainage project will be completed in February 2020.

The construction work on the Odawna Area Drain, which commenced in December 2017, involves the construction of reinforced concrete rectangular covered drain measuring 3.5mx 2.0mx520m length, including side drains.

Taking the President on a tour of the facility, the minister indicated that currently, the drainage construction works are almost 100% complete and the benefits have, so far, been phenomenal.

“The construction of the drain has tremendously transformed the area, mitigated the perennial flooding, and brought great relief to the residents of the area who used to evacuate their homes as soon as rain clouds began to gather,” he added.

The minister assured the President further that the drain will be covered to present the dumping of refuse into it.

Under the flood Relief works, a contract was awarded Messrs. Chum Turk Ventures in April 2019 for the construction the drain around the Odawna ‘Fitters’ area. The contract sum was GH¢2,499,715.90, and it involves the reconstruction of the existing block to intercept and convey stormwater flows from the Fitters’ area into the Odaw Drain.

Commencement of work on the project delayed due to persistent rainfall, which usually resulted in the flooding of the area, including the project site.

However, with the rains subsiding, Mr Atta Akyea stated that work has commenced and about 100 m of the drain has so far been constructed.

About the Project

The Odawna area is highly flood-prone, and with surrounding communities flooding when it least rains. It will be recalled that the flooding of 3rd June 2015, resulted in the loss of lives and properties, with the attendant explosion of the GOIL Filling Station.

That is why the Akufo-Addo government, through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, under the Infrastructure Development Fund, awarded the Contract for infrastructure upgrade for the Odawna Market Area to Messrs. Comet Construction Company Limited in 2017.

The Contract entails the construction of the Odawna Market Area Drain; and the construction of the Odawna Novotel Market, including a crèche and modern washroom facilities.

The Odawna Market Area Drain was unlined and used as a garbage receptacle and place of convenience.