Victims of the Okyereko flooding are crying over neglect by authorities even though the disaster caused an impactful damage to their properties.
They are left with no option but to occupy their houses that have suffered structural damages.
The disaster was caused by the diversion of the Ayensu River at the Okyereko bridge by the contractor executing the Kasoa-Winneba road expansion project, Nag Firmount Limited.
Over 150 houses got affected and three have collapsed totally leaving their owners and occupants in a state of despair.
Although the flood waters have significantly receded, most of the buildings have suffered damages affecting their structural integrity.
James Asigbe is one of the people who have been affected by the situation. He’s left with no option but to continually dwell in his house with his pregnant wife and two years old child even though the house has developed visible deep cracks as a result of the flooding. He is demanding for authorities to cause the contractor to assist him repair his house.
Also counting his losses is Julius Abotsigah whose corn mill machine and bags of cement were destroyed by the floods. In his main house, his vehicle’s engine requires to be replaced. All the visitor’s rooms at the traditional healer’s compound also got flooded and several belongings consumed by the floods.
Several other residents affected by what they describe as an artificial disaster say they are being neglected by authorities as there has not been any support rendered to them contrary to earlier claims by the Gomoa East NADMO. As they clean the mess created by the floods they are also counting their losses and mulling about how to restore the damages.
Apart from residential facilities several farmers have also had their farms destroyed. They’ve lost large acres of vegetable and maize farms. It’ll require financial support to plough the lands and hire labor to recultivate their crops.
But as at now there has not been any clear discussion between them and the contractor whose action caused the havoc.
In the heat of the disaster, an official of the construction firm acting as general foreman, Samuel Appiah alluded to that members of the three communities Gomoa Okyereko, Adawukwa and Mampong were not adequately informed about its decision and the possible dangers it could cause them.
The affected victims are therefore demanding for authorities to step in and cause the contractor to have them compensated for their losses.
By: Akwasi Addo | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
