Accra, June 25, GNA - Mr. Wise Ametefe, Head of Drainage and Flood of the Hydrological Service Department, on Thursday, said an amount of GH¢320.000 was needed to expand the big drains that serve Darkoman Junction, Accra Academy School and the Kaneshie Market, to avert the perennial flooding of these communities.

He stressed: "This will help open up drainage channels from the Gbawe, through Mallam junction to Sakaman, to reduce the extent of damage and human lost whenever there are floods." Mr. Ametefe made this known during a visit to some of the areas that were affected by the last Friday's night (June 19) floods by the Assessment and Inspection team of the National Disaster and Management Organisation (NADMO) and the Technical Committee members of Hydro Meteorological Department, Relief and Reconstruction and Disease and Epidemics team.

The floods claimed seven lives and caused massive destruction to property. Some of the affected communities the team visited include, Kaneshie First Light, Takoradi -Kaneshie Station, Mataheko, Sakaman, Darkoman, Mallam and Gbawe.

Mr. Ametefe said designs for the project had been completed and appealed to the government to release the funds for immediate implementation, after the rainy season.

He also asked people who encroach on water ways to desist from the act, which he said attributed to the floods. Mr. Ametefe explained that the main drain serving the area is 318 millimetres underground, but the activities of people living around it had put a lot of pressure on it thereby obstructing the flow of the water.

He said piles of rubbish also block the drains forcing water to over flow its banks during a heavy downpour.

Mr. Ametefe said all structures on water ways would be cleared to avert future disasters.

At the Kaneshie First Light, the drainage systems have been blocked by a heap of plastic and other human waste. Mr. Kofi Portuphy, NADMO Co-ordinator appealed to the public to desist from building on water ways since their activities are the main cause of floods in the city.

He said the situation was very pathetic and the risk too high, adding that despite the problem people are still building in flood prone areas especially around Dansoman and called on the appropriate authorities to halt the land developers immediately. Mr. Portuphy asked the government to give NADMO the power to pull down all illegal structures, which have become death traps.