The Ministry of Works and Housing, under the leadership of Mr. Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, has initiated the construction of resettlement housing units for flood victims in the North and Central Tongu Districts. A groundbreaking ceremony was conducted to mark the commencement of the project and validate preliminary data related to the resettlement effort.
According to preliminary data from the Ministry, significant numbers of houses were destroyed by the flood in the affected districts, including 935 in Central Tongu, 650 in North Tongu, and 1,218 in South Tongu. As part of the resettlement plan, affected residents will be relocated to designated areas such as New Bakpa, Adidome, Mepe-Degorme, and Aveyime.
Mr. Oppong-Nkrumah reiterated the government's commitment to alleviating the plight of flood victims and implementing long-term strategies for community resilience. He emphasized the importance of proactive measures, such as the construction of resettlement housing, in building resilient communities.
The Minister announced that 100 housing units would be constructed in each district, with the project expected to take at least six months. He called for the cooperation of stakeholders and beneficiaries to ensure the successful completion of the project.
Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, affirmed the government's focus on the safety and well-being of affected residents, mentioning ongoing efforts to restore livelihoods in the affected districts. He assured residents of his office's collaboration with the Ministry to ensure the success of the resettlement project.
Togbe Kwesi Nego VI, the Mankralo of Mepe, expressed gratitude to the government for its intervention and urged the Ministry to prioritize the construction of proper drainage systems and river defense walls to prevent future flood incidents.
The Chief Executives of Central and North Tongu Districts, Mr. Thomas Moore Zonyrah and Mr. Osborne Fenu, commended the government's intervention and pledged their full support to ensure the successful implementation of the projects. They also thanked traditional authorities and stakeholders for their cooperation in providing lands for the resettlement efforts.