Odaw basin: Gov’t breaks ground for Nima-Paloma storm drain project

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To bring relief to communities along the Odaw River basin, the Ministry of Works and Housing has launched the Nima-Paloma Storm Drain construction project.

The initiative, under the Ghana Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) programme, aims to strengthen flood resilience and mitigate the impact of heavy rainfall in the region.

For years, residents in the area have struggled with devastating floods that have left homes and businesses destroyed and lives lost.

But with the sod-cutting ceremony marking the beginning of the project, hope has been rekindled.

According to Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the project had experienced delays, but the government is now committed to seeing it through.

He clarified that, the delays in the GARID project were due to the initial scope of work not including compensation for affected persons, which has now been incorporated into the revised scope.

Mr Nkrumah dispelled rumors that the government had misused funds, stating that both NPP and NDC parliamentary candidates had been pressing for the project’s commencement.

The Minister’s explanation shed light on the true reasons behind the delays, and underscored the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the project’s execution.

Greater Accra Regional Minister, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover assured that the Regional Coordinating Council will closely monitor the project’s progress, ensuring that Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are held accountable for effective waste management.

The importance of the project cannot be overstated as Chief Executive Officer of the Korle Klottey municipality, Nii Adjei Tawiah, noted, the reconstruction of the drain will help resolve the perennial flooding in the area.

As the project gets underway, residents are urged to refrain from disposing of garbage in drains, which can clog gutters and exacerbate flooding during rainfall.

With the Nima-Paloma Storm Drain project, the government is taking a critical step towards protecting communities along the Odaw River basin from the devastating effects of flooding.

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