AMA Marks Houses For Demolition

Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, Chief Executive Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), says his outfit will not spare houses, shops and stalls that have been marked for destruction, particularly those that have been constructed on waterways or are found close to drainages. Mr Vanderpuije gave the warning after touring some major drainages in Accra where flooding takes place when it rains. According to him, despite an ultimatum to the occupants of structures sited within and near waterways, by the AMA, the former were still adamant to relocate. For this reason, he noted, the AMA would pull down all these structures after a week more. The AMA boss, during the inspection, got furious with most of the occupants of the structures. “How can the Assembly sit unconcerned and allow a few individuals to destroy projects that Government has invested so much into?” he quizzed. The mayor also ordered traders and sellers along the roads and those selling at unhygienic places to clean the choked gutters. Additionally, he tasked sub-metro directors who took part in the tour to ensure that the people desilted the choked gutters before the rains commenced in March. He urged the people to register and order for waste bins. “The Assembly would see to it that all unauthorized structures that have impeded the construction works are also immediately demolished.” Mr. Vanderpuije reiterated that as part of measures to ensure that the Assembly succeeded with the exercise, the sanitation courts that had been instituted by Government would be in operation. He said the Assembly would not spare anyone who would refuse to abide by the orders of the Assembly. “Time is not on our side and we certainly cannot make excuses. We have no other choice but to be proactive administrators producing results.” The Public Relations Officer of AMA, Numo Blafo III, in an interview with Daily Guide, pointed out that as part of measures being put in place by the Assembly to succeed with the exercise, AMA had distributed about 5,000 refuse bins to all waste management contractors who were responsible for the collection of refuse within the metropolis. Some of the places visited were Kaneshie, Alajo, Dansoman, and Camara.