27-05-2011
Narration: Three recent rainstorms that swept through parts of the Upper East Region are said to have caused severe havoc to properties running into several millions of Ghana Cedis. A substantial amount of 2.9 million Ghana Cedis is therefore needed for rehabilitation. The said amount came to light after the Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo in the company of the acting Regional Director of Education, NADMO and officials of the Regional Architectural Engineering Limited (AESL), had gone round to asses the extent of damage caused by the rainstorms. A detailed report by the team was therefore submitted to the Upper East Regional Minister for onward submission to the Ministry of Education and NADMO head office in Accra for assistance. Here is report by Isaac Asare
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Report
The recent rainstorms are said to have caused extensive damage to schools and private houses in the affected areas across the region. Though no death was recorded, most of the communities in all the nine districts across the region were reported to have been severely hit by the rainstorms as most of the roofs of affected houses were ripped off while a quite number of high tension poles were affected, thereby disrupting the flow of electricity to most parts of the region. In all, 3,639 houses and 123 schools in the region were greatly affected by the rainstorm, which according to authorities could be described as one of the worst disasters recorded in the region after the devastating floods experienced in 2007. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo at a press briefing in Bolgatanga, indicated that some victims living in the affected areas have sought refuge with friends and relatives looking for assistance from government agencies and individuals whilst others have migrated down south to seek greener pastures as a result of their predicaments. According to Mr. Woyongo, a passionate appeal has been made to the Ministry of Education to that effect, noting that the ministry as part of its contribution to addressing the problem has pledged to assist the region with an amount of 1.5 million Ghana Cedis to rehabilitate the affected schools and private properties. The Ministry, he further indicated, are seeking additional funds elsewhere to assist in that regard. Mr. Woyongo however called on all individuals and well meaning Ghanaians to come to the aid of the affected victims so as to sustain their livelihood. He implored the assistance of other stakeholders to contribute in bringing relief to affected victims by providing them with temporal sheds and roofing materials to re-roof their houses. Mr. Woyongo also appealed to heads of first and second cycle institutions to take the issue of afforestation seriously to help avert such calamities. This, Mr. Woyongo explained is vital in building a strong defence against rainstorms. He moreover stressed on the urgent for residents to reinforce and build parapet around their roofs to withstand stormy eventualities. The Media as part of their contribution also bemoaned the haphazard way at which buildings are put up with impunity and without proper assessment and supervision by the Town and country planning officials. This they lamented had contributed to indiscipline from the public as houses are erected even on waterways. They however challenged officials of the Town and Country Planning Authority to exercise their duties with professionalism taking into account the implications of indiscriminate erection of unapproved structures. The DCEs on the other hand were also charged to take oversight responsibility over activities performed by officials of the Town and Country planning and importantly call them to order to answer questions on things that are not done right. The media also tasked the various DCEs to explore the possibility of providing quality seedlings for plantation.
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