New NADMO law in the offing

Accra, Nov. 19, GNA - A new law that would give meaning to prevention of disaster and community participation in disaster management is expected to be laid before Parliament next year.

The law which would replace the current law that governs the operations of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) would also cover areas such as funding and climate change, to ensure effectiveness in disaster prevention and management.

Mr Cletus Avoka, Interior Minister, who was responding to various questions in Parliament on Thursday, said the law would strengthen the prevention aspect of tackling disasters.

On steps to contain the perennial flooding in Accra, the Minister said various Ministries and agencies including the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing and the district assemblies were responsible for the provision of good drainage systems, proper disposal of waste and well structured buildings to prevent flooding.

He said NADMO was working with other organisations to clear drains and monitor communities to deal with any form of flooding. Mr Avoka said some unauthorised structures and buildings without permits had been earmarked for demolition.

He said about 80 to 300 structures in Weija and 200 around Nii Boi Town and others in West Legon the Greater Accra Region had been earmarked for demolition.

Mr James Agyenim-Boateng, Deputy Minister of Information, who was also in Parliament to respond to questions, said the number of vehicles so far recovered from former ministers and officials of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration had been put at 99. The vehicles include 64 saloon cars, six pick ups and 26 four wheel drive. The deputy minister was responding to a question from Mr Frank Boakye Agyen, NPP member for Effiduase Asokore. 19 Nov. 09