President Mahama Re-Awards Nima-Maamobi Drain On Contract

President John Dramani Mahama on Monday gave the assurance that government would do everything possible to avert the repetition of the rain and fire disaster that claimed over 150 lives on June 3 this year.

These, he said, would include the construction of storm drains and ensure proper disposal of waste to avoid choke-ups after rains.

President Mahama gave this assurance when he broke the grounds for the continuation of work on the Maamobi Nima storm drain, which would cover a total of 1.2Kilometres.

The project, which was awarded on contract over two years ago, had to be abrogated due to non-performance on the part of the contractor.

As a result, government had to source funding and re-award the contract to the Brazilian construction company working on the Kwame Nkrumah circle interchange project.

President Mahama who was flanked by Joseph Nii Afotey Agbo, Greater Accra Regional Minister, Dr Mustapha Ahmed, Minister for Youth and Sports and Member of Parliament for the area, Nii Oko Vanderpuije, Mayor of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly among other dignitaries said apart from the storm drain, roads would also be constructed along.

The roads, he explained would enable trucks to collect rubbish and other waste matter from the area.

He called on the community to cooperate with the contractor to execute the project on schedule and to avoid subsequent disasters that result from heavy rain falls in the capital.

President Mahama also assured the people that the construction would not impede or disrupt their daily activities.

Alhaji Nuhu Baba Issah on behalf of the Council of Muslim Chiefs commended President Mahama and his administration for taking steps to construct the bridge and drain for the people.

He said the construction would eliminate the sanitation threats the area had received for the past years.

"We are sure that with the construction of this drain, houses along it will be protected and security will also be assured all the time," he concluded.

The programme also attracted hundreds of party faithful who were engaged in drumming and dancing to usher in the president at the grounds.