General News of Friday, 18 September 2009

Source: GNA

Improvement of Accra drainage system due in three months

Accra, Sept. 18, GNA - Improvement in the drainage system in Accra Metropolitan Area is expected to be completed within three months. Dr. Hannah Louisa Bisiw, Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, who announced this, said the project which started this month involved an overhaul of the entire drainage system to check the perennial flooding.

She toured some excavating sites under the project on Friday, which include d East Legon, Atomic, Haatso, Ningo Prampram, Gbawe, Kwabenya and Adenta.

Dr. Bisiw called on stakeholders to collaborate with the Ministry to ensure proper demarcation of lands and prevent floods. "There is the need for stakeholders in the building industry to include roads and drainage system in the lay-out for new residential areas to prevent floods," she said.

She said government had released about GH¢2.5 million towards the construction, expansion and extension of drains, as well as desilting the sewer system to allow the free flow of water during rains. Dr. Bisiw said all unauthorised structures on water course would be demolished and their owners prosecuted.

She said the Ministry was collaborating with metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to improve their drainage systems to prevent future flooding.