Government to desilt choked drains ahead of rainy season

The Anti-Flood Taskforce formed by the government is set to begin desilting drains and demolishing structures in waterways to prevent flooding across Accra.

The six-member taskforce is chaired by Deputy Chief of Staff in Charge of Operations, Stanislav Xoese Dogbe with Legal Counsel to the President, Marietta Brew as Secretary.

Other members include the Minister for Water Resources Works and Housing, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, Minister for Local Government, Ahmed Ibrahim, National Security Coordinator, DCOP Abdul Osman Razak and the Deputy Director General of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Teddy Addi.

The taskforce embarked on an aerial recce on Tuesday, March 12, to assess flood-prone areas to gather essential data to prevent future flooding as part of its field activities.

Chairman of the taskforce, Stanislav Xoese Dogbe stated that stricter actions would be implemented and announced which will begin with the desilting of drains with immediate effect.

“From the air, yes, we saw the problem, but we need to go there and then work with the Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Local Government and then the 48 Engineers Regiment to begin the process of desilting the drains that have to be desilted.

“Some tough decisions would have to be made, especially with walls that have been built blocking the water flow.”