Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that his constituents who were affected by the spillage of the Akosombo Adam will seek legal redress over government and VRA’s failure to honor compensation packages due them.
Over twelve thousand people were displaced due to spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams in September 2023.
It’s been almost a year since the disaster, and victims lament that they have not regained normalcy.
The decision by the Volta River Authority (VRA) in September to open the floodgates of the country’s largest hydro dam, the Akosombo Dam, citing excessive water levels threatening the dam’s sustainability, led to the destruction of livelihoods and property.
During a public hearing by an adhoc parliamentary committee on the dam spillage, the District Chief Executive of North Tongu, Divine Osborn Fenu, indicated that over a thousand residents are still displaced.
MP for the area, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is recommending among others, compensation and a reduction in utility tariffs.
“We have spoken with our lawyers and if we don’t see any immediate action from government to give at least the first batch some compensation, then we will have jo option than to go to court, because it is our right. Next month is the first anniversary and we are waiting to see what government will do,” he hinted.
The Interior Ministry has meanwhile cautioned the VRA to adhere to all protocols in subsequent exercises to prevent any havoc.
“We have charged the VRA so that in their subsequent exercises, we don’t record any such havoc. We will also have to agree that some of the residences are going to be used as Ramsar sites and so people cannot live there,” he mentioned.
The public hearing on the dam spillage, is part of efforts to collate ideas in finding a lasting solution to the effects of the dam spillage.
Volta River Authority prepares for another Akosombo Dam spillage
