A resident of Alajo identified as Atinka has made news after he demanded GH¢3,000 from National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) officials before continuing to help remove a body trapped in a vehicle during Monday’s flooding in the Alajo drains.
Atinka, who had gone into the drain to assist with the recovery, halted the exercise midway and insisted on payment before completing the task.
Speaking to Adom News after the incident, he said he stopped because he realised the arrangement he initially had with NADMO wasn’t right.
“I asked for the money because this is not my job. It is the job of the police and others, but when they came, we saw they couldn’t do the work, so I agreed to help them,” he said.
He also appealed to the government to help residents living in makeshift structures along the Alajo drain relocate, to prevent similar tragedies in future.
The incident is one of several to emerge from Monday’s floods, among the worst to hit Accra in recent years.
Heavy rain that began Sunday night into Monday, June 29, overwhelmed drainage systems across the capital, submerging roads, homes and vehicles in Alajo, Circle, Kaneshie, Odawna, Adabraka, Achimota, Tema Newtown and other communities.
The Ghana National Fire Service has confirmed at least 12 deaths, most from electrocution after floodwaters made contact with electrical installations, with close to 500 people rescued.
The Interior Minister told Parliament that more than 38,800 people were affected and seven remained missing as of the latest update, with search operations ongoing.
GRIDCo and ECG cut power to some substations as a precaution against further electrocutions, and authorities have repeatedly urged residents to avoid flooded roads and waterways.
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