Residents of Airport Ridge, Takoradi are set to experience relief from perennial flooding following a major dredging project by real estate firm United Developers Limited.
The company has invested over GHC 100,000 to desilt and widen the Ayire Lagoon, a three-kilometre stretch from Kwesimintsim to Airport Ridge that had been clogged with plastic waste, contributing to annual floods that have displaced residents and raised national security concerns.
Prakash Lalwani, Chief Operations Officer of United Developers, said the initiative seeks not only to mitigate flooding but also to create job opportunities for local youth. “I grew up here and I’m saddened by the annual discomfort residents face, so we’re stepping in to help,” he said.
The project is being implemented in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Assemblyman for Airport Ridge, ensuring a coordinated approach to community relief.
In addition to flood control, United Developers is constructing a gated community in the area and plans to install a net catchment system to reduce plastic waste entering the lagoon.
Mr Lalwani also highlighted Takoradi’s untapped potential as a tourist destination and encouraged local business leaders to invest in the city. “Dubai was built from a desert and is now a world tourist destination; Takoradi has a lot of potential,” he said.
Michael Kwame Doku, Assembly Member for Airport Ridge, described the project as “lifesaving,” while Alhaji Abubakar, NADMO Director for the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area, commended private sector involvement in supplementing government efforts, particularly amid logistical constraints.
The initiative is expected to provide long-term flood relief, enhance local infrastructure, and contribute to employment and environmental sustainability in the community.
