Vice President advices AMA to eliminate all unauthorised structures in Accra

Vice President John Dramani Mahama, on Wednesday advised the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to eliminate all unauthorized structures in Accra, the nation’s capital city, in order to save human lives in the event of disasters.

He said though AMA needed to show human face to owners of the structures, it was also imperative to carry out such activities to reduce the high spate of floods in the city after the slightest rain.

Vice President Mahama issued the directive when he inspected on-going road works and other development projects in Accra.

The Vice President visited the Osu storm drain project, Adabraka market project, the Korle-Lagoon restoration project, the Manponse drainage works, the Sakaman storm drain project; and some of the areas that were affected by the recent heavy rain storms.

He said in carrying out development projects, Government would place premium on human safety in order to propel productivity.

Vice President Mahama commended the AMA for issuing orders against the re-erection of billboards that were destroyed by rainstorm, and asked AMA to ensure that whatever was erected by advertisers was not inimical to the lives of people.

Vice President Mahama presented cement, roofing sheets, mattresses and plastic containers to victims of last Saturdays' rainstorm at Kwashieman, and advised them against putting up illegal structures in their community as that could create health and other problems for them.

Mr. Alfred Oko Vanderpuye, Chief Executive of AMA, gave the assurance that the assembly would do everything possible to rid the city of filth and illegal structures.

He the assembly would work with advertising bodies and companies to ensure that billboards advertised were not dangerous to human life.**