Engineers and a team of technical experts have successfully opened the Kedzi-Azizadzi floodgate at Havedzi in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region to reduce rising water levels and mitigate flooding affecting communities along the Keta Lagoon.
The operation was carried out in consultation with the Keta Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Wisdom Seade, and coordinated by a technical team comprising Engineers Paul Kwame Sewor, Rex Edeckor, Dennis Kuleke, Abass Mohamed, and Mr. Joel Degue.
Mr. Rex Edeckor, former Municipal Assembly Engineer responsible for the floodgate, urged residents and fishermen within the catchment area to remain vigilant and comply with safety directives, explaining that opening the floodgate allows lagoon water to flow directly into the sea.
He said the intervention formed part of a coordinated effort by relevant stakeholders to regulate water levels within the lagoon system during the rainy season, when rising water volumes pose a significant flood risk to nearby communities.
Using heavy-duty chain hoists, ropes and other lifting equipment, the technical team carefully manoeuvred and opened the massive concrete-and-steel floodgate, a task that required precision and close coordination.
Mr. Edeckor described the Havedzi floodgate as a critical component of the Keta Lagoon’s flood management infrastructure, designed to regulate the movement of water between the lagoon and the sea and minimise flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.
He disclosed that the sandbar at the outlet had also been cut to facilitate the free flow of lagoon water into the sea.
“The sandbar has been cut to allow the free flow of lagoon water into the sea. Our team from the Volta River Authority will remain on the ground to monitor the situation and respond to any developments,” he said.
According to Mr. Edeckor, the decision to open the floodgate followed sustained increases in lagoon water levels, which threatened to inundate homes, farmlands and roads in surrounding communities if left unchecked.
He expressed optimism that the intervention would significantly reduce flood risks while authorities continue to monitor water levels and implement additional measures where necessary.
GNA
