Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor 11, the Paramount Chief of the Buipe Traditional Area in the Central Gonja District and president of the Buipe Traditional Council has bemoaned the sorry economic and social conditions of the people of Buipe following the recent flood that displaced many residents and caused substantial damage to properties.
According to him, the people of Buipe are helpless now and life can simply be described as ‘unbearable’ for affected residents, since economic activities have come to a standstill. This he said, has left the town in serious crisis with residents in urgent need of food aid among other forms of support.
Addressing the media during a tour to the flood affected areas, the Paramount Chief disclosed that plans were far advanced to relocate people living in flood prone areas in the district to a yet-to-be cleared site, adding that, “those who already have accomodation permits will not pay anything, aside the cost of clearing the field”.
The Buipewura used the occasion to admonish residents to desist from using the flood water as a source of drinking water since it could be contaminated and full of reptiles.
He launched a passionate appeal to government, NGO’s, civil society organizations, the clergy, mosques and the international community to hear the cry of the people of Buipe for survival in this trying times and come to their urgent attention.
The District Chief Executive for Central Gonja, Iddrisu Salia Kamara, revealed that this was not the first time Buipe was witnessing such floods, even though, this years incident was very intensive and deeply worrying.
He said there were ongoing discussions between government and the traditional authority to permanently relocate the affected victims.
According to him, even though, the cause of the recent flooding which has wrecked a lot of havock was not immediately known, it is suspected that the recent heavy downpours and overflow of neighboring river banks could be attributing factors.
He called on the people of Buipe to remain calm and be wary of reptiles in this difficult times, whilst government take steps to address the challenges.
The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) had already reported that the recent flood has affected approximately 1,500 residents in Buipe with at least 800 individuals forcefully displaced.
A total of 300 houses, numerous educational institutions, shops and other businesses have been submerged in water completely, posing severe economic challenges to the people.
Source: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham
