The Talensi District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr John Millim Nabwomya, together with the District NADMO Director, Mr. Bismark Asugre Farouq, visited Pwalugu. The visit was part of ongoing efforts to sensitize farmers and residents ahead of the announced controlled spillage of the Bagre Dam. The visit aimed to ensure public safety and prevent any incidents during the spillage period. During his engagement with farmers and traders at the Pwalugu defunct toll booth, the DCE advised community members to strictly adhere to the warnings and safety measures being put in place. He cautioned against ignoring precautionary directives and particularly urged parents and guardians to prevent children from swimming, fishing, or engaging in any recreational activities in the river during the spillage. Mr Nabwomya assured the affected communities that adequate measures had been instituted to safeguard lives and mitigate the impact of the spillage on livelihoods. He explained that the controlled exercise was a necessary intervention to preserve the structural integrity of the Bagre Dam. To further enhance preparedness, the DCE announced that life jackets had been delivered to the NADMO office for onward distribution to riverine communities. He disclosed that additional supplies were expected from the Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Daniel Mahama, in the coming week. These life-saving resources, he said, would be made available to the District Disaster Volunteer Groups (DDVGs), who would assist residents in evacuating foodstuffs and other valuables. He advised community members to work closely with the DDVGs instead of attempting risky self-evacuation. Other community-based mitigation measures were also outlined, with the District NADMO Director tasked to ensure their effective implementation across all affected communities. Farmers, traders, and residents who participated in the exercise expressed deep appreciation for the proactive engagement, describing it as the first of its kind since the history of Bagre Dam spillage. They commended the DCE for his concern and pledged their full cooperation to ensure a safe and incident-free exercise. Traders further appealed to the DCE to provide street lights to enhance security at their 24-hour business center. The sensitization exercise was highly successful and is expected to significantly contribute to an incident-free spillage season in the Talensi District.
Story By: Yaovi Koryekpor Doe-Awlesu
