The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned what it described as the government’s deliberate attempt to neglect victims of the Volta River Authority-induced floods in 2023.

It described as unfortunate, President Akufo-Addo's failure during Tuesday’s state of the Nation Address to mention any relief programme tailored to lessen the difficulties that have plagued thousands of residents along Lower Volta due to the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams.

The Volta Regional NDC Communications Officer, Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze lamented the government’s continuous neglect of the plight of the disaster victims.

“The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta Region expresses profound disappointment and concern over the deliberate omission by the President to address the dire plights of victims affected by the recent flood disaster in the 2024 SONA.

The recent flood disaster, exacerbated by spillages from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams, has wreaked havoc on communities within the Volta and other regions, leaving countless families displaced and livelihoods destroyed.

Furthermore, the onslaught of tidal waves in the three southern municipalities of Anlo, Keta and Ketu South have compounded the suffering of our people, leaving them vulnerable and in urgent need of assistance”, he stated in a press release copied to Myjoyonline.com.

He added that people in the region were in high anticipation to hear the government’s plan for the flood victims as international organisations have made donations towards the resettlement of the victims, among other interventions.

He further indicated that “The people were actually expecting to hear something about the disbursement of the GH¢220 million allocated in the 2024 Budget to support the affected communities, the funds from the World Bank under the IDA Crisis Response Window (CRW) to support the resettlement of the victims, restoration of livelihoods, compensation and reconstruction of infrastructure in the affected communities.”

He slammed the government for deliberately refusing to map out and announce a relief programme for the flood disaster victims, who are currently putting up in tents and inconvenient habitats.

“It is deeply regrettable that amidst these precarious challenges, the President chose not to acknowledge or offer solutions to alleviate the suffering of our fellow citizens. The absence of any mention of relief efforts or plans to mitigate the effects of the disaster in the 31 page SONA is a glaring oversight that reflects a deliberate lack of empathy and commitment to the well-being of these countrymen”, he said.

He echoed the Volta region NDC’s requests for the President to give some priority to the plights of victims of the VRA-induced floods and tidal waves that kept sweeping the south-eastern coastlines of the country.

“We demand immediate action to provide relief aid, rehabilitate affected communities, and implement sustainable measures to prevent future occurrences.

"In fulfilling the constitutional obligation to address the nation, it is imperative that the President demonstrates leadership by acknowledging and responding to the pressing concerns of all citizens, irrespective of tribe, location or voting pattern”, he concluded.