NADMO shakes in the face of impending Bagre dam spillage

pulse-ghana admin

August 24, 2017 9:30 AM

Deputy Director of NADMO, Abu Ramadan claims most of the relief items procured were auctioned by the former administration, leaving the organisation in a sorry state.

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The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) might not be in a good position to respond to any disaster in the country should there be one.

Deputy Director of NADMO, Abu Ramadan expressed this fear as authorities of neighbouring Burkina Fasso have hinted of opening the Bagri Dam in the next few days.

The Bagre Dam, when spilled every year flows into the tributaries of the White Volta River in the Northern and Upper East Regions causing havoc to lives and properties in the low lying areas.

Couple of weeks ago when some parts of the Northern region suffered displacement as a result of flooding, it was difficult for NADMO to extend relief to the victims.

Speaking on Accra-based Citi Fm, Abu Ramadan alleged that the previous administration mismanaged the relief items procured, leaving the organisation in a hopeless state.

He said “before we came in, the majority of the items, 85 to 90 percent of the items, were gone.”

Abu Ramadan further alleged that the relief items were not put to the use for which they were procured. According to him, the items were auctioned by the previous administration and a debt of about GHc 40 was left hanging on the neck of the organisation.

“Most of our regional stores were empty. Some records of some regional stores, for instance in the Brong Ahafo Region and I think the Northern region, showed that some items were even auctioned.”

However, the Deputy NADMO Director assured that the alleged malfeasances at that critical organisation will not be left uninvestigated. He said his outfit is awaiting the inauguration of the board of directors to approve initiation of forensic audit into the activities of the former administration.

“A lot of things went on in the past and it NADMO was run as if it was somebody’s private property or private business. It wasn’t run properly as a proper state institution where you will come and meet records.

“Even in two of our main warehouses, we didn’t come to meet much. We met a little, but not too much to be able to absorb the pressure should there have been a national disaster. What we had in stock would not have been enough to withstand.”

Abu Ramadan has however assured that the new administration is putting proper structures in place to improve the situation

“We are hoping that within the coming days or weeks, they will finish paying all the debt,” said Abu Ramadan.

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