The Member of Parliament representing North Tongu in the Volta Region, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is urging the government to tap into the Contingency Fund to offer relief to those affected by the spillage of the Akosombo Dam.
Mr Ablakwa emphasised in an interview with Citi News that the Contingency Fund is specifically designated for anticipated disasters, including the aftermath of Akosombo Dam’s overflow.
The former Deputy Education Minister urged the government not to hesitate in utilizing the Fund to provide essential assistance to those affected.
“In every budget worldwide, there’s a line item known as the contingency fund. In the current budget we’re operating, we approved a contingency fund of GH¢600 million. The question I ask is, where is all that money? This is a clear case of emergency for which the Contingency Fund qualifies to be used, so where is the GH¢600 million?” Mr Ablakwa questioned in an interview with Citi FM on Wednesday, November 8.
He also expressed concern over the dire living conditions of the affected people, emphasizing that there’s no need to wait for the next budget cycle to allocate relief funds when there’s an available fund that can be immediately utilized.
“We don’t need to wait for the next budget cycle. I was in the House when we approved the 2023 budget in November, and we allocated as much as GH¢600 million in the Contingency Fund. It is for situations like these,” he asserted.
“People are suffering daily, and they are enduring inhumane conditions. That is precisely what we use the Contingency Fund for, so we shouldn’t delay for another budget cycle. What it implies is that my people should endure it because the budget will be approved in late December, and spending can commence in January 2024. This means my people will continue to live in classrooms under these harsh conditions,” Mr Ablakwa stated.
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