More structures, buildings to be pulled down - Commodore Obimpe

Accra, July 2, GNA - Commodore Steve Obimpe, Chairman of the Presidential Task Force Committee on Floods, said that more buildings, structures and containers, which have sprang up on water course and flooded areas would be pulled down.

He said that "This would be for the safety of lives and property which continued to be lost anytime the rains set in". Commodore Obimpe expressed worry about how structures have been built haphazardly some blocking water bodies, preventing free flow of water couple with waste. He visited Pokuase, Ashley Botwe Lake side, Ashiaman, Tema and the Sakomono Lagoon areas, affected by the recent floods that hit parts of the country, to access the extent of damage to property, on Friday. Commodore Obimpe observed engineering defects on a bridge on River Esackey at Pokuase and recommended that it should be reconstructed so that the River could take its proper course to help minimised floods in the area. He expressed shock on seeing a hotel complex, Topido Guest that was sited on Esackey River and extension works going on. Commodore Obimpe charged the Ga West District Assembly to find out if the hotel management had building permit and other requisite documents. At Lake Side Estates, near Ashely, he observed that River Mama Huma, which takes its source from the Abiri Hills, has virtually eroded the community making the area inaccessible. Commodore Obimpe called for the rehabilitation and expansion of the Mwadjor-Santeo Ashiama under bridge. When Commodore Obimpe got to Sakomono beach road area, he was informed that the crane for disilting the Sakomono Lagoon had had its battery stolen and its fuel has been siphon. Mr. Wise Ametepe, Head of Drainage at the Ministry of Water Resource Works and Housing, said culverts and roads at the affected areas were poorly built and needed to be rehabilitated. 2 July 10