Developer Kneels To Beg As Minister Orders Demolition of His Massive Property Sited on a Waterway
- The Greater Accra Regional Security Council launched the demolition exercise targeting unauthorised structures on waterways
- The council, led by the regional minister, supervised the demolition of several structures on the Sakumono Ramsar site and other wetlands
- Some other distraught developers accused the manager of the Sakumono Ramsar site of taking bribes
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The pleas of a developer fell on the deaf ears of the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, as she supervised the demolition of his building, which was sited on the Sakumono Ramsar site.
Graphic Online identified the developer as McDonald Owusu, whose pleas were ignored by the state.
Source: Youtube
Some other distraught developers accused the manager of the Ramsar site of giving false assurances and taking bribes.
Thomas Acquah, the Ramsar Site manager, denied the claims.
“As for the accusations, I don’t know what they are talking about. They are talking out of anger."
Reindolph Afrifa Oware, the spokesperson of the Tenants Union, noted that unsuspecting renters end up suffering because of such unchecked developments.
Oware noted that many tenants suffered during the recent flooding and have made complaints.
"They believe the landlords were not honest with them. Some also say that for those places, they did not know there would be water issues... our entire drainage system must be worked on."
The Greater Accra Regional Security Council launched the demolition exercise targeting unauthorised structures built within waterways.
This is in reaction to recent flooding in the Greater Accra region.
The operation, which began on May 27, focuses on illegally erected buildings at ecologically sensitive Ramsar sites, including areas in Tema, Klagon, and the Sakumo Ramsar site.
At a point, the project was disrupted by one of the machines engaged in the demolition developing a fault. This prompted the arrival of a new excavator.
According to regional authorities, the exercise is part of a broader effort to restore the capital’s natural watercourses and curb the perennial flooding that continues to wreak havoc on communities across Greater Accra.
The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Ebi Bright; Tema West MCE, Ludwig Teye Totimeh; and officials from the Forestry Commission were also present during the demolition.
The demolitions also follow the massive flooding that occurred during a downpour on May 18.
Some of the heavily affected areas were Weija, Kaneshie, Adabraka, Adenta-Dodowa and Tema.
The flooding led to at least five deaths, including a four-year-old.
Government gets anti-flooding task force
In March, President John Mahama established an Anti-Flood task force to tackle the flooding challenge.
The task force is chaired by Stanislav Xoese Dogbe, the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations at the Presidency.
As part of its field operations, the Anti-Flood Taskforce conducted an aerial reconnaissance mission in March to assess flood-prone areas and gather critical data to prevent future disasters.
Source: UGC
Following the aerial survey, Dogbe announced that the government would enforce stricter flood prevention measures.
The government is planning a road reconnaissance survey to assess the impact of poor drainage systems on flooding.
Transport company defies Mahama’s order
YEN.com.gh reported that a transport company, Caitec, did not comply with Mahama’s directive to reverse the illegal reclamation of portions of the Weija Ramsar site.
During a tour of flood-prone areas in Greater Accra, Mahama ordered the company to undo the reclamation at their own cost.
However, a subsequent inspection conducted by the Greater Accra Regional Security Council showed that the president’s orders had been ignored.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
