The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has warned residents of Weija of massive flooding following the opening of floodgates of the Weija Dam.

The company argued this has been necessitated by the onset of the rains which have kept the level of the dam rising.

Communications Manager of GWCL, Stanley Matey said the only way to safeguard the dam from possible collapse is for it to be drained of excess water.

“So we have started minimal spillage and we’ve just opened one gate at a very low level somewhere around three inches,” he said.

He, however, disclosed that the level of the water in the dam is rising steadily necessitating an increase in the number of spill gates.

This, the company believes will affect residents near the dam if they are not advised to take appropriate steps to secure their safety.

“So we want to let them know that we are increasing spillage,” he said adding “They will have to take heed and evacuate the area before any eventuality.”

Some of the communities that are likely to be affected when the flood gates are opened are Tetegu, Oblogo, Pambros Salt, Lower Mc Carthy Hill, Weija, Bojo Beach, Ada Kopey and other surrounding communities.

 

Structures near the dam:

Meanwhile, the company has over the years been working with the local Authorities to have unauthorized structures near the dam removed but there has not been much success.

Mr Matey admitted, “It hasn’t been successful at all.”

This he said is attributable to the non-cooperation of the Municipal Assembly, companies sited in the area and residents.

“We keep reminding the Municipal Assembly that people keep putting up structures along the banks of the river which is dangerous but as to whether they are taking action or not I can’t really tell but the situation hasn’t changed,” he lamented.

“We have informed NADMO, we have informed the Municipal Chief Executive and the Municipal Assembly itself, and all the industries around including the inhabitants that live around that area hoping something will change in the coming days,” he added.