Dr Ohene Sarfo, the Project Coordinator for the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development Project (GARID), has announced the implementation of measures to tackle perennial floods during the rainy season.
At a meeting with stakeholders, including the Minister of Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Dr Sarfo revealed that consultants have been tasked with designing engineering solutions for the persistent flooding in drainage areas.
Contracts have already been awarded for various interventions, with progress being made in finalizing designs for the remaining works. This includes dredging the Odaw under a new framework called the Performance-Based Contracting Approach to Dredging. Additionally, contracts have been awarded for the repairs and widening of the broken sections of the Odaw channel, as well as the reconstruction of drains in specific areas.
Efforts are also being made to upgrade sections of communities like Alogboshie and Akweteyman, where recurring flooding remains a challenge despite previous interventions. The GARID Project Coordinator affirmed that contracts have been awarded for these areas to improve stormwater drains, local drains, vehicular and pedestrian access ways, as well as extend the water network and install street lighting.
Furthermore, plans are underway to reconstruct and expand drainage in Kaneshie. Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah acknowledged that the project has faced delays due to review processes and compensation for affected persons. However, steps are being taken to expedite the project, such as amending review processes, providing compensation, and ensuring secure areas for validation exercises.
The commitment to addressing flood issues in the Greater Accra region is evident through these ongoing interventions and collaborations between the GARID project team and relevant stakeholders. The focus remains on improving infrastructure and drainage systems to mitigate the impact of perennial flooding in the area.
