AMA Building Inspectors To Be Interdicted

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, has ordered the interdiction of all officials directly responsible for the inspection of buildings in the area in Accra where a building collapsed on Thursday.

He has also ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances leading to the collapse of the building at Swalaba and another one at East Legon. A statement issued in Accra by Nana Ohene-Ntow, Government Spokesman, said the report of the investigation is to reach the Minister by 2pm on Friday, 20 December.

In a letter to the Metropolitan Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Mr Solomon Ofei Darko last Friday, the Minister also instructed that the contractor and/or consultants handling the said projects should not be allowed to undertake any work for the AMA until further notice.

Mr Baah-Wiredu also ordered a city-wide inspection of similar building projects under construction with effect from Thursday, 12 December. "The Ministry of Local Government and Rural development, meanwhile, wishes to reassure the general public that it is moving to enforce strictly all existing rules, regulations and by-laws on safe development of all towns and cities in the country.

"It therefore calls on members of the public to promptly report to the relevant town, urban or municipal authorities and the law enforcement agencies, any apparent or actual violation of development planning regulations."

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) on Sunday announced the setting up of a five-member committee to investigate the causes of the collapse of two new buildings in the Metropolis.

A statement signed by the Metro Chief Executive, Mr Solomon Ofei Darko said the investigation is to find out the causes of these incidents and forestall any future occurrence.

Members of the Committee from the AMA are the Structural Engineer, Quantity Surveyor, Architect/Planner, Metro Disaster Coordinator and Assistant Metro Solicitor, who is Member/Secretary. The Committee has one week to submit its report.

The Committee would also identify any acts of negligence an those responsible, recommend appropriate disciplinary action to be taken against any officer or officers found culpable and recommend measures to forestall future occurrence.