Mp for Prestea Huni Valley Robert Wisdom Kudzo called on government to as a matter of urgency, expedite plans for the rebuilding the Appiatse community. His major concern surrounds the impending rainy season, which would affect victims of Appiatse disaster if steps are not taken to provide them with permanent accommodation as soon as possible.
“my issue here is that we know the rain pattern in western region. It will soon start maybe by March and I believe these people cannot continue to stay in these tents throughout the year.”
I believe that with the promises made by other corporate institutions, the government and then the fines slapped on MAXAM Company limited I think we can put up permanent structure for these people within a year.” The MP cried.
Couple of days after the Appiatse disaster, the Ministry Lands and Natural Resources launched the Appiatse Funds and commissioned a five member committee chaired by Rv. Dr. Joyce Aryee to manage the said fund. Mr. Robert Wisdom Kudzo commended gov’t for such intervention but noted, “The overlords of Appiatse that is the Wassa Fiase Traditional Council, Prestea Huni Valley Constituency, Bepor Divisional Traditional Council have no representation on the above committee.”
He called for the membership of the committees to be revised.
Amenfi West MP Eric Afull could not agree less with his colleague Robert Kudzo that the Appiatse disaster is a notional one and advised that government should not play politics with it. “As it is now, we are having two committees set by the government. The MP is one of the major stakeholders in the constituency and the municipality but have no representatives of the people that are affected on either of the two committees.”
According to the Ghana Education records the MP said, there is no basic school at Appiatse, which makes the report by Ghana Police claiming that “Vice President Bawumia’s escort helped to move children from Appiatse Basic school to a safe zone” inaccurate.
He called for a retraction and apology to the chiefs and people of Prestea Huni Valley.
To this end, Amenfi West MP Eric Afull recommend that government to as a matter of urgency put an emergency basic school to take care of the ‘no school problem’ in the area.
Other members who added their voice to the Appiatse disaster statement include MP for Slaga South Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahim and Kofi Arko Nokoe MP for Evalue- Jomoro Dwira constituency.
Salaga South MP Zuwera Mohammed explained to the house the reason behind Ghanaians unwillingness to contribute to the Appiatse funds when it was launched.
“They were unwilling to contribute to the fund because, according to all these callers, when COVID struck and we were called upon to make similar contributions, we now ask for the COVID funds to be accounted to us and we’re told that they will not account to us.” “… and Ghanaians made it very loud and clear that they are not willing to keep putting money into efforts that they cannot ask questions about.” “As leaders of our people we need to understand that whatever we do today becomes the reference point for what we may want to do tomorrow.” She added.
Kofi Arko Nokoe of Evalue- Ajomoro Dwira Constituency suggested the need to offer psychological support to the victims at the site in order to help them overcome trauma.
MP for Huni Valley says the Western Regional Parliamentary caucus of the NDC led by the chairman Emmanuel Ammah Boakushie visited the disaster site for firsthand information on the incident. The Caucus, also paid a courtesy call on Nana Kwadwo Attah Brepe II, the overlord of the Brepor Traditional area. The caucus later addressed the local committee and the victims at the temporal resettlement site and donated some food items, sanitary items, and clothing to the victims.
Thirteen people who sustained various degrees of injury and are receiving treatment at various hospitals at Bogoso, Tarkwa, Effia Nkwanta, Wassa Akropong, Okomfo Anokye and Korle Bu.
According to the honorable MP, the total number of people at the resettlement camp as at their time of visit was 857. However, people were still counting victims, which could cause the number to rise to over 1000 people.
He says he spent Vals day with them and he fears the heavy rain pattern of the Western Region, which is likely to set in any time soon, would worsen the plight of the people because already, an inspection of the temporal resettlement camp shows, their items and mattresses were wet. Water can seep through tent and destroy their things when the rains set in.