BLACK FLIES INVADE BUI AREA (SEPT 26, PAGE 54)

THERE has been massive invasion by black flies of Bui and its environs in the Tain District in the Brong Ahafo Region, which has been a source of worry to residents.
According to some residents who spoke to the Daily Graphic, this year’s invasion by the flies was the worst and needed a timely intervention from the government.
Bui, in the Banda Ahenkro Traditional Area in the Tain District, is the host community for the Bui Hydro Power Dam Project.
The chief of Bui, Nana Kwadwo Wuo, who also shared his sentiments on the invasion, appealed to the appropriate authorities to assist in managing the situation, saying, “the flies have been with us for a long time but this year, it is worse and, therefore, the government has to come in to bring the situation under control.”
Most of the workers at the Bui Dam site, who also spoke to the Daily Graphic, suggested the use of helicopters to disinfest the area periodically to reduce their suffering.
“It has become very difficult for us to work effectively because the flies do not leave us at all, particularly in the morning and evening,” said one worker.
Some of the workers, however, suggested that the government should make the oncho-spraying programme as another component of the contract of Syno Hydro, the Chinese company constructing the dam.
“I believe the Chinese will be able to manage that effectively since they are also suffering,” said a worker.
As a result of the invasion by the flies, almost everybody in the area now wears long-sleeved dress, while pupils in the various schools are permitted to wear a pair of trousers to school to save them from the flies.
In order to bring the situation under control, the Tain District Chief Executive (DEC), Mr Jones Samuel Tawiah, has paid a working visit to the area to assess the situation.
The DCE appealed to the anti-oncho spraying gangs under the Zoomlion Limited to intensify their spraying operations in the area, while searching for other efficient means of addressing the situation in future.
He said the flies had become a major worry to the district and, therefore, assured the inhabitants of the area that his outfit would collaborate with the relevant authorities to ensure an efficient management of the annual invasion of the flies.