By: Samali Abdul Razak – Tymes Correspondent, Oti Region
THE SPILLAGE of the Bagre Dam and Akosombo Dam continues to wreak havoc on communities in the Oti Region, especially those living along the Oti River.
The Oti Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Mr. Kwabena Foster Dzre, says many residents in the region have been severely affected by the rising water levels.
In an interview with Nationaltymes.com, Mr. Dzre disclosed that farmlands have been submerged, houses have collapsed, and residents living on island communities remain the worst hit.
“Most people have been affected by the opening of the dams. Some farmers’ farms have been taken over by water and people’s houses have collapsed. The people living on the islands are the most affected,” he lamented.
According to him, his visit to the island communities in Nkwanta South was necessitated by a distress call from NADMO officers in the Municipality, who reported the dire situation of residents following flooding and a recent windstorm.
As part of the visit, Mr. Dzre donated relief items to victims at Agyakogi, an island community in the Nkwanta South Municipality.
The residents expressed gratitude to NADMO for the swift intervention.
A resident, Ms. Eunice Sika, thanked the Director but highlighted other pressing challenges facing island communities. She said there is no potable drinking water, forcing residents to depend solely on water from the Oti River, a situation that has exposed them to water-borne diseases.
The Headman of Agyakogi, Mr. Dakor Raphael, also expressed appreciation for the relief items, noting that they would go a long way to cushion the victims. He however appealed to philanthropists, NGOs and government to come to their aid to help them access potable drinking water.
Another resident, Mr. David Ahiabele, also thanked NADMO for coming to their aid in their time of need.
The residents are now calling on government and other stakeholders to provide lasting solutions to their water crisis and to support communities affected by the dam spillage.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
