The Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben South, Ransford Owusu Boakye, is pushing for the construction of a major storm drain to permanently address the recurring flooding at the Prince Boateng Roundabout in Koforidua.
According to the MCE, the current drainage system is woefully inadequate to contain the huge volume of running water that flows from the Obuortabiri Mountains during rainfall, leading to severe flooding in the area.
Mr. Owusu Boakye disclosed that the Assembly is packaging a proposal to the central government for funding and technical support to undertake the project, which he says is beyond the financial capacity of the municipal assembly.
“Our priority is to design and construct a major storm drain that can handle the heavy flow of water from the Obuortabiri Mountains. We are preparing to submit the proposal to central government because this is not a project the Assembly can fund from its common fund,”— Ransford Owusu Boakye, MCE.
He expressed optimism that the project would be approved and executed under his leadership to serve as a lasting solution to flooding at the Prince Boateng Roundabout — a critical route connecting the Eastern Regional Hospital, the New Juaben Traditional Council Palace, and major commercial areas in Koforidua.
The MCE made the remarks during the National Sanitation Day Exercise on Saturday, where desilting of drains was carried out in flood-prone areas of the municipality.
Mr. Owusu Boakye also indicated that the Assembly will demolish all unauthorized concrete slabs constructed by shop owners over drainage channels, as they obstruct the free flow of water and make maintenance difficult.
“Some shop owners have built fixed concrete covers on drains without authorization. We will assess all such structures with our engineers, and where necessary, they will be demolished,”
— Ransford Owusu Boakye, MCE.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, who joined the cleanup exercise, urged residents to maintain proper sanitation practices, emphasizing that environmental cleanliness is vital to public health and safety.
“Cleanliness is next to God. Our environment reflects who we are, and keeping it clean is for our own benefit,”
— Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, Eastern Regional Minister.
The cleanup saw participation from personnel of the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, NADMO, and several civic groups. Shops in the area remained closed until the exercise was completed.
Some inmates including those convicted over illegal mining were deployed by the Prisons Service to take part in the exercise.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
