KMA undertakes demolition exercise at Anhwiam to avoid flooding 

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly has undertaken a demolition exercise at Anhwiam, a day after the worst flooding in recent times hit the metropolis. 

Even though the Regional NADMO office has put the number of deaths at one, other sources including eye witnesses say the death toll in the floods is more than one.

Anhwiam and the Anloga Junction were among the hardest hit by the floods. 

GBC’s Ashanti Regional Correspondent Nicholas Osei-Wusu reports, that the Environmental Protection Agency, has closed down briefly, the Total Fuel Service Station and a Gas refilling Station to save lives and property. 

A timely intervention by a combined team of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Fire Service, Police and NADMO officials was enough to save Ghana what could likely have been another major twin disaster of floods and fire on Thursday, as the Total fuel service station and a Gas refilling station were heavily flooded. 

According to the Chief Executive of the KMA, Osei Assibey Antwi, there was leakage from the gas station while the Fire Service had to spray their carbonated water to subdue any oil spillage from the fuel service station before the two flammable materials could spark fire.

The flooding has been attributed to a blockade in the way of runoff water by squatters while the main Aboabo storm drain also spilled over into the main Asafo-KNUST highway. 

The Fire service personnel rescued about 200 slum dwellers at Ahwiam. 

The demolition exercise was therefore, to clear the waterway of any obstacle to allow for the free flow of rain water as the rains intensify. 

Many of the slum dwellers, including women and babies, were left stranded with their personal belongings while others were seen carting household items in tricycles popularly known as Aboboyaa to safety.

Some of the squatters who spoke to the GBC’s Radio Ghana said they have been living in the area with their families for more than two years but they did not know the place was flood prone. 

While some of them pleaded with the city authorities for more time to relocate, others read political motives into the action. 

The KMA Chief Executive, Osei Assibey Antwi said the squatters were served notices of ejection about a year ago. 

According to him, it is only by divine intervention that no life was lost on Thursday He said plans are in place to ensure that the squatters do not return to the place.

Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency has closed down briefly, the Total Fuel Service Station and the Gas Refilling Station at Anloga Junction following the suspected danger the two pose to life and property in that area. 

The closure followed last Thursday’s rain that flooded the area.

GBCONLINE
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