Eugene Antwi, Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing
The Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing is set to demolish houses on waterways in Kumasi, following a heavy downpour in the city which resulted in flooding last Thursday.
Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr. Eugene Boakye Antwi, who gave the hint, said GH¢30 million had been earmarked by government, under the National Flood Control and Relief Drainage, to address poor drainage systems in the country.
Mr. Antwi, who is also the Member of Parliament for Subin Constituency, was speaking at the Golden Jubilee Anniversary climax of the Grace Baptist Church in Kumasi.
It was held under the theme: “I Will Build My Church”. And it attracted state actors and traditional rulers, including chief of Amakom, Nana Adu Mensah Asare.
The deputy minister disclosed that his ministry had identified 11 drainage systems for improvement to deal with the repeated floods in Kumasi.
According to him, the sector minister, Mr. Atta Akyea, was expected in Kumasi yesterday to begin inspection of flood-prone areas and storm bridges, including that of Dechemso to help address the deadly flood at Anloga Junction.
He asserted that years of repeated failures to improve drainage systems in the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi, coupled with structures built on waterways – that tend to block the flow of water – has led to damaging and deadly flooding during rainy seasons.
The deputy minister called for support towards the intended demolition exercise, and indicated that they would not yield to the pleadings by people in high authorities in order not to carry out the demolition exercise.
He stated: “We can’t sit down for the sake of few people for the majority to suffer. This is a national issue and must be treated as such; nothing like NPP and NDC matter.”
Chairman of the National Peace Council, Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante, on his part, called for whipping and surcharging of officials at the various Town and Country Departments for their dereliction of duty, allowing people to build on waterways.
“This is what happens in a country where square pegs are put in round holes. They are responsible for many of the floods,” he indicated.
The reverend minister, who delivered the anniversary address, said the country was reaping what it sowed, and urged for things to be done right.
From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi