Residents of Dambai and surrounding towns in the Krachi East Municipality in the Oti Region face a growing public health risk as a result of faecal matter pollution in the major water supply brought on by the spillage of the Bagre dam in neighbouring Burkina Faso.
With the Oti River serving as the only supply of water for the populace, public restrooms located nearby were swamped by the floodwaters.
Flood floods have submerged many homes along the river and portions of Dambai Market, including shops, posing a threat to lives and property as well as to public health.
The public restroom at the Dambai Lakeside has been swallowed by the rising floodwater, according to a GNA visit to inspect the situation.
The situation has forced some locals to defecate in the open along the riverbanks, while others have discovered creative ways to dump solid waste into the river.
The GNA observed water-filled restrooms provided by Volta Lake, creating a significant sanitary issue for those who live there and in other settlements along the River.
At the landing location, a strong odour caused by the human waste that entered the river is turning away customers.
Due to the careless disposal of liquid and solid waste, a resident named Madam Dianna Alhassana acknowledged that they might contract water-borne illnesses like cholera, diarrhoea, and typhoid after drinking contaminated water.
Mr. Nurideen Mohammed, who owns shops and a guest house, described his struggle and losses as floodwaters swept away goods worth hundreds of cedis.
In addition to working from a temporary location, he claimed certain goods had been rescued.
The locals are requesting that the authorities entirely demolish the outdated restroom facility and construct a new one for them.
The Oti Regional Environmental Health Officer, Madam Sybil Marie Boison, informed GNA that a thorough report is being created and would be presented for discussion at the Oti Regional Coordinating Council and the Minister’s office.
She warned the locals to take control of their own fate while they waited for official action, stating that the situation was critical and may lead to an outbreak of cholera.
Prior to the opening of the Bagre dam this year, the Municipal Directorate of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) had issued flood alerts and warned residents along the riverbanks that the rising water levels in the White Volta could cause flooding that would affect thousands of people.
The Director, Mr. Jacob Desiavor, asked locals to transport their possessions to safer locations on higher ground.
