The Director of Communications at Ghana Water Limited (GWL), Stanley Martey, says the amount of money spent annually on public sensitisation and announcements about the Weija Dam spillage could be used to build infrastructure such as classroom blocks or CHPS compounds.
He expressed frustration over what he described as repeated human disregard for warnings not to build on buffer zones and waterways.
“The amount of money we spend on announcements and sensitisation forums every year can even build six classroom blocks or a CHPS compound,” he said on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem.
“We spend that amount every year on sensitisation, announcements and refreshments after community engagements. For how long are we going to continue like this?” he asked.
Mr. Martey stressed that Ghana Water Limited consistently engages communities, stakeholders and local authorities before and during dam operations.
“Every stakeholder in the community is involved. We hold community forums and sensitisation exercises. People have been educated,” he stated.
He said despite these efforts, some residents still go ahead to build on protected areas.
“After educating you not to build on river buffers, you still go ahead. Why should we do that?” he asked.
According to him, the affected areas are naturally swampy and unsuitable for construction.
“Those areas are mushy areas. Nobody should be building there,” he warned.
Mr. Martey added that GWL should not be blamed for the flooding caused by the controlled spillage of the dam.
“We should not be blamed for doing our job. We are simply ensuring safety,” he said.
He explained that the company continuously monitors water levels at the dam.
“We monitor the dam on an hourly basis and take readings every minute. Whenever we see the level rising above safe limits, we have to open the spill gates,” he noted.
He urged the public to support efforts to prevent flooding by respecting planning regulations and avoiding construction on waterways.
“If we do the right things, we will all be safe,” he said.
Meanwhile, hundreds of homes in parts of Weija in Accra have been submerged following a controlled spillage of the Weija Dam, leaving many residents stranded and forcing evacuations.
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