The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has refuted claims by the government that about GH¢80 million has been released towards rehabilitation works in communities affected by the floods caused by the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams.
According to the opposition party, no intervention works are being undertaken by the government, nor any major relief intervention provided to victims of the 2023 flooding incidents.
“It is therefore unconscionable for the government to make false promises and for the President to mislead the public about the support being provided to mitigate their suffering”, stated the NDC Volta Regional Communications Officer, Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze in a press release copied to Myjoyonline.com
President Akufo-Addo during his 67th National Independence Day address in Koforidua was quoted to have said that “As set out in the 2024 budget, the Government has set aside two hundred and twenty million cedis (GH¢220 million), of which eighty million cedis (GH¢80 million) has already been released by the Ministry of Finance, to support the ongoing rehabilitation efforts for the affected communities. The government will stop at nothing to restore normalcy to the lives and livelihoods of all affected persons.”
The NDC said it found this misleading as there are no indications in the affected areas of any rehabilitation project nor financial assistance provided to the victims, adding “It is evident that the promised relief funds have not been provided.”
He said what is evident on the ground are deliberate interventions by private individuals, organisations, companies, and foreign entities, by virtue of the incessant advocacies and appeals.He questioned the lack of transparency and accountability in the operation of the supposed funds meant to help restore normalcy for the the flood victims.
Mr. Agbleze lamented that the victims continue to suffer the devastating effects of the disaster, which included displacing thousands, loss of livelihoods, and damage to properties worth millions of cedis.
“We call on the NPP government to desist from callously politicizing the human-induced disaster, immediately provide clarity on the status of the allocated funds, and ensure that they get to the intended beneficiaries without further delay. The people of the Volta Region, like any other region, deserve nothing less than full transparency and timely assistance in this time of crisis.
“The NDC stands in solidarity with the people of the Volta Region and will thus relentlessly continue to advocate for their rights, interests, and welfare”, he concluded.
Source: myjoyonline.com
