Houses on government lands at Weija to be demolished

Houses and other structures on government lands around the Weija lake near Accra will soon be demolished to save the lake and the environment from further degradation.

Besides, the inhabitants mostly fishermen are illegal occupants, Mr. Kwamena Bartels, Minister of Works and Housing said on Friday.

"Those on the lands are without permit and title deeds because government acquired them years ago for the Weija dam basin," he told a meeting of chiefs and representatives from the area.

The meeting, held in the Minister's office was called to resolve problems relating to the government acquisition of land and the drying up of the river due to excessive pollution.

Mr. Bartels said the dam, at present is drying up due to soil erosion, and dumping of refuse by villagers near it, thus making the water unsafe for drinking.

This is costing the Ghana Water Company three billion cedis every month in buying three different chemicals for its purification for safe drinking adding, "the dam requires just only one chemical for safe drinking."

He also warned farmers, fishermen, and land guards to move away from the acquisition areas and desist from activities that pollute the river saying, "anyone caught within the boundaries would be prosecuted and if possible jailed."

He said government has realised that parts of the lands have either been sold or leased to private developers by the chiefs.

The Minister assured the chiefs that, government intends to re-demarcate the acquisition areas soon in order to give part of the lands to the chiefs for their own development.

"Those who have not been paid their compensation from the time of acquisition would be paid," he added.

He said, however, that 900 feet (300 yards) away from the lake has been earmarked for organisations such as the Construction Pioneer (CP) to plant trees to protect it from pollution.

According to him, even the house of the Weija chief has been built on the government arena. He called on the chiefs to warn their people and desist from selling government property.

He called on communities around the banks of the river to plant trees to help in its protection. The Minister told the chiefs that a swift motorboat would be acquired to monitor activities on the lake.

Nii Kwaku Datre, Manhyia Village Mantse, said the situation is so appalling that the people no longer drink water from the dam but are now spending a lot on sachet mineral water Accra.

According to him most of the chiefs in the area were not informed of the government acquisition and therefore went ahead and sold or leased some of the lands to developers.

He said cattle raiders and land guards around the lake area, who have also contributed to the pollution of the lake, adding: "These cattle raiders bath the animals in the water and ease themselves in it as well."

Nii Datre thanked the Minister for calling the meeting and promised the chiefs would play their part in protecting the lake that serve as source of good drinking water.