Residents of the Agbeve community in the South Tongu District have called on government to as a matter of urgency suspend the activities of a foreign vessel dredging the Volta River.

Community members who spoke to JoyNews noted that the dredging activities of vessel – SLIEDRECHT IMO 9834195 – is causing a lot of harm to their livelihood, hence government should suspend the vessel’s activities until the community has been formally informed of what the vessel is doing on the river.

According to the residents, the vessel’s dredging has muddied the waters of the Volta River, denying them access to any potable water.

The only water treatment plant in the area has failed to work following the pollution of the river.

While they say they have not been informed of what the vessel is doing on the river, they suspect it is prospecting for minerals.

They fear should the activity continue, the Volta River may become another galamsey site.

"We strongly believe that the vessel seen working is not dredging but rather prospecting for minerals which is causing pollution to the river and depriving us of good source of water," a resident lamented. 

The residents who are mostly fisher folks said currently they are unable to go fishing due to the activities. 

The Presiding Member for South Tongu, Victoria Dzeklo, who visited the community on the orders of the DCE, suggested that the residents demand for a water tanker which can provide them with regular drinking water as the project will last for 10 years. 

She added that it was necessary for the residents to come for a meeting at the assembly and resolve the issue amicably.

The residents have however rejected the suggestion.

At a security meeting with some of the residents, the Ada East DCE, the police and the company, it was agreed that the pollution will be reduced to the minimum; however this has not been realized.