Work has commenced to reclaim the Lafa water retention basin at Mallam as part of government’s ongoing efforts to reduce the risk of flooding in Mallam, Weija, Dansoman and surrounding communities.
The operation is being led by the 48 Engineer Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, which has begun removing years of accumulated solid waste, silt and illegal encroachments that have significantly reduced the basin’s water-holding capacity.
The exercise involves dredging the basin, evacuating accumulated waste to a designated landfill site and demolishing illegal structures located within the water reserve.
Protective embankments will also be constructed as part of the intervention to strengthen the basin and improve its ability to contain excess water during heavy rainfall.
The operation is being coordinated by the Post-Flood Mitigation Task Force and forms part of a broader national programme to restore waterways and drainage channels across Accra following the devastating floods of June 29.
Government has made resources and equipment available to support the exercise, with similar flood mitigation works also ongoing at Oyarifa, East Legon and the Kpeshie Lagoon area.
The reclamation of the Lafa basin is expected to improve its capacity to retain stormwater and reduce pressure on drainage systems serving communities downstream.
The government has meanwhile appealed to residents to cooperate with the taskforce as the works continue.
The public has also been urged to desist from dumping waste, building on waterways and engaging in other activities that obstruct drainage channels and undermine efforts to prevent flooding.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Mavis Fantevi