Ada, Aug. 18, GNA - The devastating nature of sea erosion to life and properties of the people of Ada in the Dangme East District of the Greater of Accra Region is worsening each day as implementation of the sea defence project continues to delay.

The situation, which has stayed with the people for nearly 40 years, had resulted in the destruction of several properties causing villages and families to relocate.

Of the 40-kilometre stretch of land area of Ada, about 14 kilometres has been identified as the most critically affected areas where properties estimated at about 154 million euros were under threat from sea erosion.

During a visit to the area on Friday, the Minister of Water Resources Works and Housing, Mr Abubakar Saddique Boniface concluded: "You don't need anyone to tell you that the area is a disaster zone." Mr. Boniface visited the area to ascertain the extent of damage and assured the people of Government's commitment to the implementation of the project.

The Minister explained that the delay has basically been due to resource availability to fund it, noting that currently Government was reviewing proposals from four foreign companies on the project. He said the estimated cost of the project which would involve the construction of groyne field, revetment structure over four kilometres and a groyne at the estuary of the Volta River to facilitate a permanent opening at all mouths of the River ranged between 36 million euros and 40 million euros.

Mr Boniface said the preferred technical intervention must offer a long term solution to the sea erosion problem and therefore Government was weighing all the options available to take a decision soon. Giving a brief history of the problem, Ms. Betty Nimako, a 56 year-old Head Teacher of the area said she no longer has a family home in Ada because where they used to live had been taken over by the sea. "Two schools; Azizanya DC Primary and Ada Foah Presby primary, a football pitch, storey buildings have all been submerged by the sea. "As we speak now the frontage of the District Assembly is now a road because the original one constructed has been completely taken over by the sea and the second one also is almost about to be submerged," she said.

Expectations are that, within a couple of years, the District Assembly building would be no more because not only has the sea gotten nearer to it (about 70 meters away) but also its breeze has affected it badly giving its a new colour.

The yellow-painted building has turned black. Mr Ebenezer Dordo, Head of Personnel of the Assembly said: "At the moment all our machines including computers are down because of the serious effects of sea breeze.

"When they are repaired they do not last for even a week and break down again."