Residents unhappy over Weija dam spillage

Residents at Weija, Oblogo, Tetegu, Tsokome, SCC Atta Moses Down, and its environs in the Ga South Municipality of the Greater Accra Region are living in fear and are unhappy about the decision by the Ghana Water Company (GWCL) to spill the Weija Dam.

This follows the recent rains in part of the country which has increased the level of the Densu River which is the source of the Weija Dam.

The situation can threaten existence of the dam if the water exceeds the safety operational level of 47 feet. Currently, the water level of the dam is 42 feet, 5 feet more to hit the danger zone.

This came to light when our reporter, Dorcas Abedu- Kennedy visited some areas around the dam to ascertain how the residents are preparing to evacuate as they face the spillage which the GWCL says it can be done any moment from now.

Some of the residents, who spoke to Nyankonton Mu Nsem, noted that they will be much affected in the sense that there are no drains where spill water can have access.

They also suggested to the GWCL to spill the turbines one after the other instead of spilling them together which they believe may create a lot of inconveniences to them and are therefore calling on the government to intervene because they have nowhere to vacate to.

When contacted, the Communications Manager of the GWCL, Mr. Stanley Martey, explained that every raining season, the water level of the dam increases thus exceeding the actual level and when that happens, it put a lot of pressure for the dam.

He said as a result, it can damage the dam and even residents around the place.

He added that about 60 per cent of the population in Greater Accra get their water supply from Weija treatment plant and so it is for these reasons why they are always compelled to spill the dam because they cannot compromise on the safety of the dam.

Asked on why the GWCL do not stop people from encroaching on the land along the dam, Mr. Martey said the GWCL is not responsible for stopping people from putting up buildings on waterlogged areas.

He explained that it is the responsibility of the District Assemblies to take that decision but however, in some instances, they tried to educate the residents but proved futile.

He therefore cautioned the residents to vacate from the area when the spillage occurs.

Story: Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy [Rainbow Radio]