The Volta River Authority (VRA) has launched a significant disinfection and fumigation operation in communities impacted by the controlled release of water from the Akosombo Dam.
This disinfection initiative kicked off in Mepe, located in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region, due to the higher concentration of affected individuals in this area.
Ing. Kwame Osei Mensah Darkwa, the VRA’s Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, underscored the VRA’s commitment to ensuring the safety and livability of homes, public areas, and the entire community in the aftermath of the floods.
“The VRA contracted Zoomlion to carry out the fumigation and decontamination exercises in the areas where the water has receded significantly to make it safe for habitation again. So essentially we have the assembly represented by the safety officer, a representative from the traditional council, a Chief Executive and the intention is to go to the areas we’ve inspected and we want them to be dry for them to start some form of decontamination of the place.”
When asked about the possibility of fumigating other districts affected by the flooding, Ing. Dankwa responded,“Of course, when it becomes necessary. So we are looking at it, for today our intention is to tackle the Mepe area.”
Divine Osborne Fenu, the District Chief Executive of the North Tongu Assembly, praised the VRA for promptly undertaking the disinfection operation.
He expressed satisfaction with the VRA’s consistent and swift response to the challenges faced by the affected residents.
However, he urged residents to remain patient and refrain from returning to their homes until the fumigation process is completed and structural engineering assessments ensure the safety of the buildings.
“We are appealing to all of them to remain calm, to stay where they are currently. Until those places are fumigated and the structural engineering inspection is done to ensure that the buildings are safe before they move in.”
