Death trap behind VAT House, residents at risk

A broken-down building situated exactly behind the VAT House at Circle, next to Busy Internet poses a serious threat to the community and squatters occupying the structure.

The building, which formerly housed the Belmont Hospital of Colonial days, has been earmarked for demolition since 2006 with a part of it demolished. Next to it is a car park for customers of the Adabraka Offices of the Ghana Revenue Authority in the VAT House.

There is a bold block-lettered inscription painted on the building in red which reads: DEMOLITION, ALL RESIDENTS ARE TO VACATE THIS BUILDING BEFORE 30-10-06 OR FACE COURT ACTION, BY ORDER.

Despite this warning, there are visible occupants in the dilapidated structure with others plying their trade including refrigerator repairs and a car garage.

This year alone there have been about three reported cases of collapsed buildings in the country including a church.

November last year saw the fall of the new Melcom supermarket building killing 14 people, how much more a dilapidated building which is about a century old.