The Central Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Mr. Kwesi Dawoud has called on residents in and around Cape Coast to exercise caution following severe flooding incidents and the collapse of a dilapidated building in Cape Coast.
He said despite the commendable collaborative efforts from NADMO, Ghana National Fire Service, the NIB, the police, the assembly members, disaster volunteers and all concerned, two people lost their lives on Saturday after the building collapsed.
Speaking to the media after the rescue operation, Mr. Dawoud gave a situational report and said affected multiple communities across Cape Coast, including Ola, Pedu, Flowers Gay, Ntsin, Amamoma, Eyifua, Ayensu, and Kwaprow, leaving homes and shops submerged and properties destroyed.
According to him, flood-prone areas were proactively identified in addition extensive public education as part of early warning efforts ahead of the rains.
He indicated that, residents in low lying areas were also informed and urged to relocate to designated safe havens based on forecasts from the Emergency Operations Command and Meteorological Service to prevent severe damage.
Mr. Dawoud urged residents to take the incident as a serious warning, and do the needful to safeguard their lives when they are given advise.
“When you advise some people, they find it hard to take such advice unless the unfortunate happens. And when you refuse to listen to advice, the disaster will unfortunately advise you accordingly.”
In addition to these warnings, he said NADMO desilting and dredging chocked drains as part of flood mitigation measures.
He expressed strong support for the order made by the MCE of Cape Coast Metropolitan Area, Mr. George Justice Arthur to demolish all dilapidated buildings within the metropolis.
He emphasized that the move will cement the frantic efforts by NADMO over the years to demolish all dilapidated buildings in the metropolis.
“NADMO over the years has given detailed reports on all possible hazards, including such buildings. And we are happy the assembly is finally taking steps to demolish some of these buildings to prevent possible unfortunate occurrences,” he continued.
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