The President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, has directed the Ministry of Finance to release funds for the commencement of the Accra drainage and sewage project.

Mr Mahama gave the directive in Accra when he toured some flood-ravaged parts of the capital yesterday.

The government of Ghana and the Conti Group of Companies of the United States of America signed a US$660 million agreement for the drainage and sewage project last year. The American firm agreed to pre-finance some of the work but as the project has not started and floods continue to take a toll on the city, the President has directed the Ministry of Finance to release funds for it to start.

President Mahama visited some flooded areas such as Mallam Junction and South Odorkor.

The Conti Project spans five years and is to be conducted in three different stages. It is also expected to solve the sanitation and environmental challenges and perennial flooding that confront Accra.

Indiscipline

The President condemned the indiscriminate dumping of waste in the capital and said that negative practice was a major contributory factor to the flooding in Accra.

He explained that the waste choked the drains and prevented the free flow of flood water. Apart from the destruction of property, the President added, flooding also had resulted in loss of lives in the past.

Mr Mahama advised the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to make education on sanitation a major programme so that people would be aware of their responsibilities.