Work progresses steadily on Blekusu Sea Defence Project Phase 2

Work on the second phase of the Blekusu Sea Defence Project is progressing steadily, with the work so far stabilising the waves experienced in the area over the years. 

The shorelines, which were ravaged by the sea, have now been systematically transformed with the Amandi Limited Company in charge of the project so far working on six groynes simultaneously to stabilise the situation, which has seen some residents return to their homes.

The Daily Graphic, which joined a delegation from the Ministry of Works and Housing, led by the sector minister, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, and the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, observed that a section of the shorelines was filled with rock armour stones, same were also in use for the construction of groynes that were under construction. 

Also, Blekusu-Denu Road stretch is also free from any tidal waves, vehicles and residents commute freely, without any impediment.

The sea defence project, which officially began in July this year, will protect coastal communities in the Ketu South area from tidal waves and erosion, and is expected to be completed within four years.

Rate

Addressing the delegation, the Blekusu Sea Defence Project Phase 2 Coordinator, Ehud Deri, reported that the project was on track, with the design stage completed, mobilisation done and construction progressing smoothly.

He indicated that the project, which involved constructing 37 groynes, dune restoration, and shoreline defence works, covering an eight-kilometre stretch, was between 20 to 25 per cent complete.

"We've done the mobilisation for the quarry, finished the design stage, and are seeing results.

As you can see from the work done, we are no longer where we used to be.

The project's first kilometre is stable, with the team working on six groynes simultaneously. Each groyne is about 200 metres apart and will continue over eight kilometres,” Mr Deri said.

“We have protected the road that the community can still use and also some structures that were at the mercy of the waves and were due to collapse.

We’re currently constructing a groyne of about 100 to 120 metres into the sea to slow the action of the waves,” he said.

The Project Coordinator affirmed that although the project was expected to be completed in 36 months, they were currently working ahead of time and hoped to finish on time. 

Impression

The Minister of Works and Housing expressed delight at the level of work done so far by the company.

“I am impressed by what is going on here, because I've been receiving payment certificates in the office. I've been asking myself whether the work was really going on, like the way the payment certificates kept coming.”

“I decided to pay a visit to ensure that whatever payment certificate that comes to my office reflects actual work done, and truly, I've come to see that the work is really going on,” the minister said.

He indicated that the depth of the report received from the Project Coordinator, the visible work ongoing within just five months, and the presence of workers and machinery at the site showed that the work was on track. 

Mr Adjei also encouraged the construction company to continue with their good works and ensure that they did excellent work to alleviate the devastating problem being faced by the residents over the decade.

For his part, the Volta Regional Minister appealed to the Project Coordinator to help salvage some of the buildings, especially schools that were prone to the tidal waves to ensure it did not affect education in the area.

Mr Gunu urged them to also commence some of the ancillary projects, such as cold stores, lorry stations, markets that were also part of the entire project to ensure that residents started benefiting from them.

He also urged residents to continue to support the workers in the area to ensure the smooth completion of the Sea Defence Project.