ASHAIMAN FLOOD VICTIMS INGNORE WARNING (SPREAD, JULY 3, 2010)

Some victims of the devastating flood which claimed several lives and displaced thousands of people in Ashaiman have ignored warnings of heavier rains this season and started re-constructing their buildings.
They are using heaps of sand which piled up in parts of Ashaiman as a result of the flood for their constructional works.
In separate interviews, some of the victims told the Daily Graphic that they did not have anywhere to go and that the land belonged to them, saying, “God will listen to our prayers.”
According to them, the only homes they had were the ones which were washed away by the floods, which underscored the need for them to build new ones to replace those which were destroyed.
Most of the structures under construction are at Roman Down in the Obakatse Electoral Area where the flood had been severest and claimed many lives.
Commenting on the situation, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashaiman, Mr Alfred Agbesi, said it was sad that the residents were re-constructing houses in the same area where the flood destroyed their properties.
He expressed concern over the health hazards posed by the resort to the use of dirty water from the drains because the floods had disrupted water supply in Ashaiman.
The MP said it was unfortunate that at a time when efforts were being made to secure support from organisations and ministries involved in road works and the provision of water, shelter and clothing, the victims were rather going back to establish themselves again.
He appealed to them to heed the advice not to build on water courses and in green belts because they were purposefully designed in low-lying areas.
Mr Agbesi emphasised that it was time strict sanctions were imposed on those who gave permits and allocated land to the people in prohibited areas.
He said he could not decide the fate of those who were re-constructing their houses on water courses and appealed to the assembly to take steps to stop them.
Mr Agbesi appealed to government to set up a committee at government level to find solution to the problem once and for all.
He said the medical needs of the people ,relocation , provision of alternative schools for displaced children and clothing among others must be considered by the committee.
Meanwhile the Member of Parliament, Mr Agbesi had led a team of NDC party executives to distribute food items to the victims.
The items comprised 220 bags of rice and 16 cartons of cooking oil valued at GH¢9,000 .
He explained that the total amount used in the purchase of the items comprised GH¢5,000 from the MP’s office and GH¢4,000 from the former First Lady Mrs Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings when she visited and consoled the victims.
The distribution was done in nine flood communities in Ashaiman, including Manmomo, Roman Down (Obakatse), Jericho, Assenso, Malian Estates, Chief Fafra and Behind Presby.
The victims complained that there was no transparency in the distribution because the actual victims were not benefiting from the supplies.