Construction of €67m Ada sea defense wall to start in January

The people along the coastal line of Ada in the Dangbe East District of the Greater Accra Region would from January 2011 begin counting the days when they would finally be relieved from the threats of sea erosion when construction of the €67m sea defense wall in the area begins.
The project being undertaken by Dredging International Service from Cyprus, experts in marine and waterways construction is expected to be completed in 2013 bearing any unforeseeable challenges.
This came to light when a delegation from the Parliamentary Select Committee on Water Resources, Works and Housing led by its Chairman, David Tetteh Assumeng visited Ada on Thursday to familiarize itself with the ‘Ada Coastal Protection Urgent Measures’; a project aimed at reclaiming about 5,000 meters of lost land whilst saving lives and properties from the destructive effect of the sea along the coastal line of Ada.
Briefing the delegation on the project, Deputy Director (Hydro), Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Hubert Osei-Wusuansa said plans are far advanced to begin construction of the project in January, 2011.
According to him, design of the project is at its final stage and would be completed in December to pave way for construction of the sea defense.
“Work is on schedule and the contractor is ready and waiting for the final design to begin construction of the project”, he said.
He said consultancy by the contractor had been done including measurement of the site and the acquisition of data for the construction works. Other activities which have been completed according to Osei-Wusuansa include; preliminary construction of site offices, general construction works and the preparation of quarries for the supply of amour rocks had been competed.
The amour rocks are expected to be laid into the sea at a distance similar (200m) to that of the Keta sea defense wall, said Osei-Wusuansa. Additional rocks are to be laid at desire distances where the groins are expected to be filled with sand dredged from the estuary, thus where the Lake Volta meets the sea.
However, Osei-Wusuansa was quick to add that the dimensions of the groins will be determined by the final design for the project.
David Tetteh Assumeng who doubles as the NDC MP Shai Osudoku expressed the hope that work would begin as planned in order to save lives and properties along the coastline of Ada.
“The whole coastal stretch is under threat now and work must soon commence to save the people from further harm”, noted David Tetteh Assumeng.
The delegation was also taken round to inspect the preliminary construction of site offices of the project contractor, Dredging International.
The devastating sea erosion has been a threat to the coastal line of Ada for about five decades now claiming lands and destroying properties.
Forts, prisons and other monuments constructed by the colonial government have already been engulfed by the sea.
The Chief fisherman of Azizanya, Torgbui Akrofi Kabu recently told nyu.edu that ten miles into the sea used to be dry land and that was where they lived but today, the story is different as there are no lands on which farm anymore.
Also, Minister for Education, Alex Tettey Enyo in a recent GNA publication said over 5,000 metres of land have been sub-merged and that if the remaining land, which is a little bit above sea level is washed away, in a matter of days, the whole Ada land would be submerged.
The Director of Radio Ada, Kofi Larweh also told nyu.edu that research conducted in area revealed that at least two meters of land is lost to the sea every week, at certain times of the year. “If this phenomenon continues, very soon the whole of Ada will be washed away”, he argued.
However, nyu.edu in a recent publication said the threat is not only from the sea but also ejection from land owners who find the site more appropriate for the hospitality industry, hotels and chalets.