Residents of Mallam a suburb in the Weija-Gbawe Municipality of the Greater Accra Region are expressing deep frustration over what they describe as years of neglect and poor management of persistent flooding by municipal authorities.
In interviews granted to mrwoode.com, the residents pointed to a major drainage channel stretching from Gbawe Blue Cross to Mallam Junction as the root cause of the flooding. They revealed that the gutter has become overgrown with weeds and clogged with debris severely hampering the free flow of rainwater.
According to them, the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly has failed to implement a sustainable solution to the problem. Residents allege that although the Assembly regularly deploys excavators to clear the gutters the debris is not properly disposed of. Instead, it is left on the sides of the drain where it is eventually washed back in during heavy rainfall.
The excavators only clear the bushes and leave the waste behind. When it rains, everything goes back into the gutter. So what’s the point? a visibly frustrated resident lamented.
Some community members have gone a step further to suggest that corruption may be at play. They suspect that certain officials benefit financially from the repeated hiring of excavators rather than investing in a long-term drainage solution that would permanently solve the flooding issue.
Responding to the growing public criticism the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Weija-Gbawe, Hon. Felix Odatey, addressed the concerns in an exclusive interview with mrwoode.com. He stated that the Assembly has already commenced the construction of a commercial box drain from Gbawe Blue Cross to the Gbawe Guinness Depot.
He assured residents that the remaining portion of the drainage extending from the Guinness Depot to Mallam Junction will be completed in due course.
Until the full construction is done we must continue to dredge the gutters using excavator machines to prevent flooding during the rainy season, Hon. Odatey explained.
He also emphasized that the Assembly’s efforts are focused on safeguarding lives and properties and denied any suggestion of personal gain by officials.
Several drainage projects have already been completed in other parts of the municipality which have significantly reduced flooding. We are committed to doing the same in Mallam, he added.
Despite the MCE’s assurances, many residents remain unconvinced. They are calling for increased transparency, better planning and faster execution of drainage projects to bring a lasting end to the area’s perennial flooding problems.
We are tired of hearing promises. We want action. This issue affects our lives, our homes and our businesses, another resident said.
As the rainy season continues, the residents of Mallam remain hopeful that their cries for effective intervention will finally lead to lasting solutions.