Govt urged to eject squatters from unauthorised areas

Elmina (C/R), April 14, GNA- Nana Kodwo Conduah IV, Omanhene of the Edina Traditional Area, on Friday exhorted the Government to exhibit a strong political will to eject squatters from unauthorised areas to pave way for development projects and not to heed threats of "we will not vote for you."

He asked government to collaborate with traditional rulers to ensure accelerated development since all Ghanaians would benefit from developments projects being executed.

Nana Conduah made the call when Mr Hackman Owusu Agyeman, the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, led a team of experts to inspect the progress of work on the Benya Lagoon-Restoration Project at Elimina.

The 12 million Euro Belgian Government assisted project, which started in November last year, among others involved the dredging of the lagoon and the entrance channel.

The removal of amour blocks scattered at the entrance of the port and construction of 116- metre long lee breakwater and sand traps to serve as a buffer against future siltation would also be carried out. Nana Conduah commended the Minister for "taking time off his busy schedule to inspect the project," and urged other Ministers of State to emulate him.

The Omanhene said this was imperative because poorly executed projects such as school buildings resulted in ripping of roofs during rainstorm because of lack of supervision and monitoring of projects by people in high authority.

Nana Conduah commended government for implementing the lagoon restoration project and said it would bring immense benefits to the local people and the country.

Mr Owusu Agyeman said it was time for Ghanaians to treat water bodies " strategically" to help preserve them for posterity. He said this would help minimize the effect of global warming and warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse and defecating, especially into water bodies, which resulted in the extinction of some water bodies.

Mr Owusu Agyeman expressed satisfaction at the progress of work, which he said would on completion enable about 700 boats to land on the lagoon and help improve upon the socio-economic conditions of the people of Elimina whose main livelihood was fishing. He commended the contractors, consultants and engineers undertaking the project for their hard work and urged the people to support the project.