V/R: Relocate persons affected by the flood to higher grounds before another spillage – MP tells VRA

The Volta River Authority (VRA) has been told to relocate persons who have been affected by the floods caused by the Akosombo and Kpong Dam spillage to higher grounds before another round of spillage is done.

This call was made by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa whose constituency has been affected by the flood occasioned by the spillage.

He said properties worth millions have been destroyed.

Mr Ablakwa in a tweet “urged VRA to ensure all those in affected areas are relocated to higher ground before carrying out another round of discharge.”

The situation has compelled the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) to shut down its substation in Sogakope.

According to GRIDCo, it has undertaken the emergency shutdown “for safety reasons to mitigate the risk of electrocution, loss of life, and related dangers”.

The flooding of the substation and its environs has been occasioned by the controlled spillage of the Akosombo Dam by the Volta River Authority (VRA).

The Authority last month announced plans to commence controlled spillage of not only the Akosombo Dam but also the Kpong Dam due to the consistent rise of inflow pattern.

It, therefore, alerted residents along the Volta River and downstream to take the necessary precautionary measures before time.

Already, power to residents in Sogakope and its environs has been affected.

But GRIDCo assures that “power will be restored as soon as the situation improves”.

“GRIDCo and VRA deeply regret any inconvenience caused by this exercise.”