As flood waters from the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso are expected any moment from now, people living in flood prone areas have refused to leave.

Residents of one of such communities, Nawuri in the Northern Region say they will only leave if the water overwhelms them.

They told Joy News’ Mahama Shaibu when he visited the area that the environment had become part of their lives.

For them moving away from an area where they have lived all their lives is a difficult thing to do.

They say they are monitoring the water levels and will move to safer grounds when necessary.

The assembly member for Nawuri electoral area, Mr. John Ablorda said plans to resettle the people had not materialized.

He said although some of the people had been supported with cement to put up houses, they have not been able to roof them.

They therefore cannot move from their current residence because they will not have places to stay in.

Meanwhile, the Director of Special Duties at the Volta River Authority said the situation was being monitored carefully.

Mr. Kofi Asante Okine said an engineer to advise the people and the VRA on what steps to take at any point in time.

He said the Bagre Dam, according to the Burkinabe authorities will be opened gradually to minimize its impact on the people.

Still on floods, the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Alhaji Boniface Abubakar Saddique has denied reports that government neglected last year’s flood victims.

He however admitted that a lot more support was needed by the people.

Alhaji Saddique who is a member of the Northern Disaster Fund, said the government is committed to a long term solution to the annual flooding problem.


Story by Malik Abass Daabu