The Ghana Water Company Limited has issued early warning signals to residents and owners of properties along the Weija Dam in Accra to evacuate as its plans to spill excess water from the dam.
The spillage is expected to cause devastating flood therefore according to the GWCL “Property owners and residents in the area are therefore advised to evacuate or take immediate precautionary measures to protect life and property” a statement issued and signed by Chief Manager Public Relations and Communication at GWCL Stanley Martey stated.
Communities that are likely to be affected include; Tetegu, Oblogo, Pambros Salt, Lower McCarthy Hill, Lower Weija, Bojo Beach, Ada Kope, Tsokome, and surrounding communities.
According to the GWCL, the spillage exercise has become necessary due to the rise in water levels from 37ft to 47.9ft within two days. As a result, the company will begin spilling excess water from the Dam as part of routine measures to safeguard it.
The Company explains that the safe operating level of the dam is 47ft, adding that, like every dam, its safe operating levels are maintained to prevent it from possible collapse, hence the spillage.
“Management of GWCL, therefore, wishes to inform the general public as well as institutions and organizations who have properties downstream of the dam, that the opening of the spillway gates is inevitable and possibly cause flooding. Therefore, the company urges inhabitants living in communities downstream and along the buffer zone of the river course, to evacuate the area to forestall any eventualities and also to protect life and property”
The statement said GWCL has begun a house to house sensitization and using public information address systems within the communities, to caution settlers and residents on the repercussions of their continuous stay within the buffer zone. Opinion leaders, Chiefs, Assemblymen, Unit Committee leaders and Heads of schools have been informed to help in sensitizing the people in the communities. GWCL is also liaising with institutions like National Security and NADMO to support the process to avoid disaster.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Obed Ansah
