Government is to construct the widely publicised Oda, Bonka Agyei storm drains to control perennial flooding as well as sanitation challenges facing the Oda Township and its surrounding communities.
The phase I of the project which covers a total distance of 250 meters (1.5 by 1.5) is under the sanitation module of the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP) of President Akufo-Addo’s 2016 campaign promise of the One Million Dollar, One Constituency project aimed at facilitating rapid development of each constituency.
This was disclosed by the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Constituency, Mr. William Agyapong Quaitoo, when he broke grounds for work to begin on the abandoned drains that has been a major worry for the good people of Oda and residents in the Old Town area.
The MP further stated that, the project when completed would among other things ensure proper disposal of waste to avoid choke-ups after rains. He assured residents that, government would do everything possible to avert the sanitary problem that has eluded the nation.
Mr. Agyapong Quaitoo announced that, pupils from the Aboabo SDA Kindergarten which for some time now are using the SDA church hall for classes would also benefit from a school block alongside the construction of the storm drains to enhance teaching and learning in the area.
He, therefore, called on the residents to cooperate with the contractor, Samotrust Company Limited, to execute the project on schedule to avoid disasters that result from heavy rain falls in the Municipality.
The urban Road Engineer of the Assembly, Mr. Richard Debrah, who spoke to newsmen shortly after the ceremony, noted that floods that had destroyed chains of properties over the years had been attributed largely to the choking of major drains with silt and garbage, a situation which he said forces rain water to find its way into residential areas.
He indicated that, that problem was partly self-inflicted and underscored the need for the public to refrain from dumping refuse into drains and water bodies.
On his part, the Krontihene of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, Obrempong Gyamfi Safro-kyere II, who represented the traditional council, pledge the support of the traditional council to the Municipal Assembly to facilitate the development of the Municipality.
He cautioned the contractor executing the project against shoddy work, since the traditional council would not hesitate to recommend the termination of the contract that would not be done to the expected standard.
He, however, appealed to the contractor to engage some of the youth in the area in the job execution.
Source: Emmanuel Yaw Acheampong
