Parliament Should Summon Works and Housing Minister Over Recurring Flooding on Accra-Cape Coast Highway – Hon. Patrick Yaw Boamah
The Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah, has called on Parliament to summon the Minister for Works and Housing to brief the House on measures being taken to address the persistent flooding along the Accra-Cape Coast highway.
According to the Minority MP, the recurring flooding during heavy rains continues to cause severe difficulties for motorists and commuters, with several vehicles often stranded for hours.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Mr Boamah described the situation as worrying, especially after large sections of the highway were submerged following recent downpours.
“If you look at pictures and videos from the western part of Accra, especially where Honourable Ayariga drives through to Winneba, and to Cape Coast, the whole area was submerged yesterday,” he said.
He stressed the need for the government to explain immediate steps being taken to fix the drainage systems and manage the spillover from the Weija Dam.
“It will be very important for us to hear from the Works and Housing Minister on the steps that the government is taking to get the drainage system fixed. The Weija Dam was opened, and people are just homeless in Accra,” he stated.
Mr Boamah also urged the Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, to urgently release funds to contractors working on the Accra-Cape Coast road project to accelerate construction works.
“Ato Forson must release money to the contractors working on the Accra-Cape Coast road. He must make releases and stop hiding under the commitment authorisation that he’s using to stifle everybody in this country,” he said.
Responding to the concerns, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga agreed that it would be appropriate for the Minister for Works and Housing to appear before Parliament to update members on the flooding situation.
However, Mr Ayariga noted that the problem goes beyond funding and is largely due to years of failure to enforce planning regulations and building laws.
“It is not just about the Minister of Finance disbursing funds. It’s also the failure over many years to enforce all the codes that this Parliament has passed relating to how we plan our cities, where we develop, and where we don’t develop,” he stated.
He pointed out that uncontrolled development on waterways and drainage channels has significantly contributed to the recurring floods across the country.
The Majority Leader reminded Members of Parliament of their own responsibilities as members of district and municipal assemblies to ensure planning laws are enforced in their constituencies.
“So, beyond just always asking the ministers what they are doing, let’s also begin to ask ourselves as members of Parliament, who are members of our various district assemblies, what are we also doing?” he asked.
Obiri-Yeboah
