MP Appeals for assistance for Flood Victims in Upper East

Bolgatanga, Sept. 8, GNA - The Member of Parliament (MP) for Bolgatanga Central Constituency, Mr. Opam-Brown Akolbire has appealed to relief agencies to assist people in his constituency who were affected by the recent floods that hit the Region.

The MP made the appeal on Monday during a tour with the Regional Director of NADMO Mr. Patrick Akaki, to the affected areas in his constituency, to assess damage caused by the flood. The areas visited included Pobaga, Nyariga Bisi, Tondong Sobligu, Bolco Hostel, Kombosgu, Extee gas Station among others. Speaking to the MP, most of the victims indicated that their foodstuffs were soaked with mud and they had nothing to eat. Their properties, including television sets, mattresses, and clothes had been washed away. Others also told the MP that they had been rendered homeless and were

staying with their relatives and friends and most of their crops had been destroyed.

Mr. Akolbire indicated that though NADMO had assured him that some

relief items would soon arrive, the items might not be enough for all the

people and pleaded with other relief agencies, philanthropists and NGOs to

assist the flood victims with food, clothes, mattresses and building materials.

The MP indicated that though most of the affected houses were built on waterways, others were also affected due to the poor drainage systems. He assured the people that he would liaise with the Municipal Assembly and other stakeholders to re-construct the drainage system to curb future floods in some areas in the constituency.

He stressed the need for the Municipal Assembly to assist people who

had built their houses on low land areas to resettle and advised the public not

to build on waterways. The Regional Director of NADMO advised people who had not vacated

from the low land areas to move away to avoid being affected by the

opening of the Bagre dam, which would soon be opened again.