Deal ruthlessly with owners of houses on waterways – Atta Akyea charges AMA

The Minister of Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea has called on the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to deal ruthlessly with individuals who build houses on waterways.

Mr. Atta Akyea advised the sanitation taskforce to implement the ‘bulldozer principle’ in order to address the rampant flooding cases in the country’s capital, Accra.

Addressing the media at a press conference on Monday, April 16, the Minister of Works and Housing said it is illogical for a citizen, who is aware of the restrictions, to erect a structure on a waterway.

“I will crave the indulgence of AMA to deal with abusers of the law. AMA should not be afraid to deal with some issuers ruthlessly. It doesn’t sit well with the sanity of the nation for a man to be consciously aware that this is a no-go area but nevertheless you go and erect a structure which will stand in the way of water,” Mr. Atta Akyea argued.

Mr. Atta Akyea reiterated the need for the implementation of the ‘bulldozer’ principle which he believes is the best solution to the lawlessness exhibited by some citizens.

“If we are strong on lawlessness and impunity, this nation will go forward. So I believe in the bulldozer principle. That if a man is disrespectful of the laws of this country and will go and site a structure, and the siting of that structure in a particular place will have serious consequences for the larger community, then your house is no more important than the sufferings of the crowd, and should be dealt with ruthlessly,” the Minister added.

The Minister for Works and Housing toured some major drainage systems in Accra to assess the progress made so far in their rehabilitation and dredging. Some of the areas visited include the Nima drainage system, the Odo River as well as the Korle lagoon.