NADMO promises end to Bagre dam spillage crisis in 2019

Source: Ghana|Myjoyonline.com|Nathan Gadugah

Before 2019 the National Disaster Management Organisation together with government will find a permanent solution to the age-old Bagre dam crisis which has claimed lives, destroyed farmlands and displaced dozens.

That is the promise given by the Deputy Coordinator of National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) Abu Ramadan.

He told Joy News’ Evans Mensah, Monday, his outfit is liaising with government about the possibility of building mini dams on the White Volta which will store excess water spilled from the bagre dam.

These mini dams will then become channels of irrigation for purposes of agriculture.

According to Abu Ramadan the proposal falls in line with the government’s promise of building one dam in every village in the Northern Regions of Ghana.

His comments come at a time when the Upper East and parts of the northern regions have been submerged by flood waters.

Mr Ramadan denied earlier reports the flood was as a result of the spillage of the Bagre dams.

Abu Ramadan

“What is happening is the rains,” he said, adding, “the rains filled the Tono dam and is now spilling by itself.”

The floods have left many displaced in the Northern and Upper Regions.

Albert Sore reported of complete disaster for some farmers who are trying to salvage what is left of their farms.

“The water is increasing virtually by the minute”, he expressed the alarm of residents, adding the situation is terrible in Pwalugu.

He said nothing much has been done by way of relief items for the people in Pwalugu.

Abu Ramadan said his men have been to most of the affected areas and are providing relief items.

He said before NADMO could provide reliefs items they need to make an assessment of the situation before providing any relief.

According to him, many of the areas visited have farmers complaining about their farms being taken over by flood waters.

In that case, his outfit is pursuing alternative livelihoods for them rather than providing mattresses and other relief items.

“I have been in the north for the past 12 days to 14 days,” he said adding, “we have four separate teams moving round the affected areas to offer support.”

“It is too early to carry relief items,” he said but was quick to add that in areas where households have been affected relief items have started going to them.

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