Residents of the Airstrip Residential Area in Wa in the Upper West Region have expressed growing anger over recurring flooding, which they blame on the construction of a nearby filling station.

The latest incident, triggered by a recent heavy downpour, left several homes submerged, forcing families to evacuate and seek refuge in safer locations.

Residents say the situation has become a seasonal ordeal, with each heavy rain bringing destruction and displacement.

According to the affected residents, the filling station has obstructed natural watercourses, significantly disrupting drainage in the area. They argue that rainwater, which previously flowed freely through designated paths, is now diverted directly into their homes.

Recounting his experience, a resident, Alhassan Nuhu, said the flooding escalated rapidly. “When the rain started, my wife called me immediately. By the time I reached our area, the water had already entered our rooms, and we had no choice but to seek safety elsewhere,” he explained.

Residents further claim that multiple attempts to draw the attention of authorities to the situation have yielded little or no results. They noted that petitions have been submitted and engagements held, yet the problem persists without any concrete intervention.

“We were here long before the filling station was built. Now, every rainy season brings the same flooding,” another resident, Stephen Kpan, lamented.

A local business owner, Liticia Bazaawaale, also narrated the extent of her losses. “When it rained, the water entered my bar, knocked down my fridges, broke bottles of drinks, and spoiled my foodstuff and ingredients. The fridges are no longer working, and I have workers who are now struggling because of the conditions here,” she said.

She added that the situation has made the environment unsafe, with slippery surfaces posing additional risks to both workers and customers.

Frustrated by what they describe as prolonged neglect, residents are now threatening to escalate the matter if urgent action is not taken. They say they are prepared to involve the police and other relevant authorities and may take further steps to halt the operations of the filling station.

Speaking to Channel One News on Friday, April 3, the Upper West Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Osman Sinsew, said authorities are examining the siting of the filling station in the area.

While concerns have been raised by residents about the location of the facility, Mr. Sinsew was measured in his response, emphasizing that such establishments are typically approved by regulatory bodies.

He stressed that any decision on whether the station should be relocated would depend on technical assessments and consultations with relevant authorities.

“Ordinarily, considering the risks associated with fuel stations, one would suggest they should be located away from residential areas. But I may not be able to conclusively say it should be removed without technical advice,” he explained.

Mr. Sinsew also linked the flooding to a combination of poor drainage planning and settlement in a known waterlogged zone.

Source: Citi FM