Isaac Asiamah, the Chairman of the Works and Housing Committee of Parliament, has urged the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, to release funds aimed at addressing the recurring issue of flooding in the country.
The appeal comes after the Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, requested Parliament to consider allocating portions of the road and sanitation levy funds to the Ministry to assist in tackling the challenge of flooding.
In response to the presentation, Mr. Asiamah emphasized the need to adequately resource the Ministry to fulfill its responsibilities. He expressed satisfaction that the Finance Minister was present, stating, “When we are prioritizing areas, flooding should be given priority.
Last year, the Minister for Works and Housing received only 18 percent of the allocated funds, so he is facing significant challenges. Minister of Finance, please provide the necessary funding to the Works and Housing Ministry so they can effectively carry out their work.”
However, Governs Agbodza, the Minority Chief Whip, emphasized the importance of a change in attitude alongside government efforts to mitigate the impact of flooding. He highlighted that the root causes of flooding often stem from human actions, stating, “Sometimes it is not solely about the lack of funds.
The problems we face are not natural disasters; we are creating them. The Minister of Finance can release all the money, but if we continue to neglect regulations regarding building in waterways, if we continue to block drainage channels, flooding will still occur.”
In summary, Asiamah is urging the Finance Minister to release funds for addressing flooding, while Agbodza emphasizes the need for a shift in behavior and adherence to regulations to effectively mitigate the impact of flooding.
Source – citinewsroom.com
