- VRA to engage stakeholders on potential spillage.
- Lessons from last year's spillage will be applied.
- Gov't to ensure dam integrity and minimize impact.
The Minister of State Designate at the Energy Ministry, Herbert Krapah, has given assurance that the government is committed to mitigating the impact of the planned spillage of excess water from the Akosombo dam.
The Volta River Authority (VRA) has announced its intention to engage with relevant stakeholders regarding the potential spillage, which is expected to have significant effects on surrounding communities.
During his vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament in Accra on Tuesday, Herbert Krapah acknowledged that lessons have been learned from the damages caused by last year’s spillage. He stated that the government will work closely with the VRA to ensure that the programme put in place to mitigate the impact of the spill and ensure the integrity of the dam is executed according to plan.
Krapah emphasized the importance of stakeholder consultations and sensitizations, which will be carried out by the VRA to prepare affected communities for the potential spillage. He also assured that the ministry and central government will provide the necessary support to ensure the success of the programme.
The planned spillage is aimed at preventing a potential disaster by reducing the water level in the dam, which has reached capacity due to heavy rainfall and flooding upstream. Last year’s spillage resulted in significant damage to properties and displacement of people in surrounding communities, and the government is determined to minimize the impact this year.
Krapah’s assurance has been welcomed by stakeholders, who have expressed concern about the potential effects of the spillage. The government’s commitment to mitigating the impact of the spillage is seen as a positive step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of affected communities.
