The Odaw Channel which has been an eyesore because of its silted nature and the foul smell it emits is to undergo further improvement works.The channel is silted with sand, solid and liquid waste, particularly used sachets and garbage.A recent assessment of the project conducted by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment has shown that the channel will serve its objective of flood alleviation better if it is further extended by an additional 550 metres to the Taysec Bridge on the Achimota School road. As a result of this the government is contracting a 1.8 million Euro loan from the Fortis Bank of Netherlands for the additional improvement works on the channel to be done. The loan will partly finance the additional work, at a total cost of 2.5 million Euros with the government providing the remaining 700 Euros.According to the report of the Finance Committee of Parliament on the loan, the Odaw Drainage Improvement Works have been sub-divided into three phases.Phases one and two (Lots I and 2), which were funded by the World Bank and the Agence Francaisse de Development respectively had been completed.The third phase (Lots 3) involves the construction of 2.75 kilometres of reinforced concrete channel from the Alajo Bridge to the Apenkwa Overhead and the reconstruction of Abelenkpe Railway Bridge and two pedestrian bridges across the Odaw channel.The report explained that in September 2003 the government signed a financal agreement with the Fortis Bank of Netherlands for 9, 470,030.00 Euros for part financing of Phase III of the project.The government again signed a second agreement with the bank for 5,199,017 Euros to extend the Lot 3 works to cover the construction of an additional 700 metres of the channel, the construction of 90 metres length box culvert under the motorway extension, near the Apenkwa Overhead and the construction of a pedestrian bridge between Abofu and Achimota.However, the recent assessment had necessitated the extension of the channel by an additional 550 metres to the Taysec Briage on the Achimota School road, hence the contract of the 1.8 million Euro additional loan.The Finance Comnlittee advised the ministry to collaborate with the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing to ensure that drainage projects were properly synchronised to ensure their effective performance and maximum benefits.It also noted that the Odaw Drainage was choked with silt advised the project managers to ensure the channel was regularly desilted and cleaned.Source: Daily Graphic