By William Yaw Owusu
Thursday April 22, 2010
FEAR AND anxiety has gripped some residents of Sakaman, a suburb of Accra following the commencement of a demolition exercise by the City Engineers department of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).
Over the past weeks, the AMA has been in the news regarding demolition exercises in various parts of Accra but Sakaman residents suspect their area is being used to target perceived political opponents of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The City Engineers Department of the AMA had already indicated that it was bent on demolishing all unauthorized structures particularly those situated on waterways and other swampy areas as part of efforts to re-plan the city and prevent perennial flooding.
Coincidentally, the south west parts of Sakaman experiences perennial flooding and the AMA on April 13, 2010 moved in with bulldozers to demolish a number of houses and structures in the area.
The extent of the demolition exercise which was supported by bus loads of policemen was massive but residents claim they were only given two days’ notice.
They said the AMA claimed it was constructing a massive drain in a lagoon nearby and needed create space to do so.
Areas targeted for demolition include Hyde, 3rd Boundary, Nii Okai and Nii Yartey Streets with warning inscription that read “Waterway remove” all over the buildings.
When DAILY GUIDE visited Sakaman on Tuesday to assess the extent of damage, many families had been displaced while others whose properties had been marked for demolition were living in fear.
Some wept for the loss of their property while other stood reflecting on what was going to happen next. The mood at the place resembled a funeral.
Briefing the media, the residents blamed the NDC government and AMA of embarking on a “selective” exercise in the area.
They said they received a two-paragraphed notice which appeared hurriedly prepared without any reference number on Sunday April 11 and signed without any name and date. “It was titled “Local Government ACT 462 Final Removal Notice” and within two days they were there with bulldozers razing down property.”
Kofi Badu Boakye, a victim claimed the AMA boss Alfred Vanderpuije had met residents to assure them the assembly was not interested in demolishing any house but were only interested in constructing drains.
“Within days the AMA reneged on its promise and started doing a selective demolition exercise which has affected about 20 houses.”
He said on the Town and Country Planning map, Sakaman had been marked as a plush residential area and was enjoying public utility service.
Mr. Boakye further admitted that even though parts of Sakaman experienced perennial flooding, residents can support city authorities to improve upon the situation with the construction of more drains.
“Sakaman is not a slum. It is a very clean area and well planned. Nobody has built on a waterway. The letter purporting to notify us to relocate criminalizes the demolition exercise.”
“We have been inflicted with hardships as a result of this exercise and we have nobody to run to. We are appealing to the President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills to look into this issue for us because we have not broken any rules of city authorities.”
Also see :www.dailyguideghana.com
No comments:
Post a Comment