Sodom and Gomorrah demolition long overdue – NADMO boss

The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has justified the demolition of a section of Sodom and Gomorrah in Accra.

According to NADMO, the exercise was executed in the best interest of the inhabitants due to incessant flooding of the capital city.

Thousands of structures were demolished in the area on Saturday; a situation which has rendered thousands of residents homeless.

[contextly_sidebar id=”XK05Z1VRAVvSJ0z09B6CNRCd7ML6KXr1″]The exercise which was spearheaded by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, AMA and the National Disaster Management Organisation, NADMO was to make way for the dredging of Odaw River and the Korle Lagoon.

Sodom and Gomorrah, with an estimated population of 60,000, lies along the banks of the Odaw River and the Korle lagoon, and it is one of Africa’s biggest slums.

Speaking to Citi News during the exercise, the Acting National Coordinator of NADMO, Brigadier General Francis Vib Sanziri said: “It is to facilitate the overall project of dredging of the area.”

He indicated that “it is the initial stage of preventing the water from running through the city. It will also make the water get through to the sea. The place is the main outlet, so I think if we can get it cleared it will be prudent.”

He however clarified that the demolition of structures and the subsequent dredging of the Odaw River and Korle Lagoon, was not intended to inconvenience the inhabitants, but rather, to protect their lives and prevent future flooding in the capital.

Meanwhile, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo has told Citi News, the demolition at the Sodom and Gomorrah is long overdue.

He insisted that the impunity with which illegal settlements spring up along the Odaw River is endangering lives and thus, it must be controlled.

By: Kojo Agyeman/ citifmonline.com/Ghana