Tema MCE calls for an Amendment to TDC/TMA Laws

Tema, Oct.19, GNA - Mr David Quaye Annang, Tema Municipal Chief Executive, (MCE) has called for an amendment to the laws that established the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) and the Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA) to streamline their operations.

He said there was the need to review the laws that spell out clearly defined roles of the Government landowner institution and the political authority of the municipality.

Mr Annang said this would streamline the overlapping functions of the TDC and TMA because the current dual operations did not promote orderly development within the municipality.

The MCE made the call when receiving a report the demolition of part of the block wall of the Shaman Health Centre by the TDC/TMA taskforce to enable a private developer have access to her land.

He regretted that parcels of land within the Municipality earmarked for development projects had been allocated to private developers by the TDC and cited portions of the Green Belt that had been given out.

Mr Richard Lomotey, Town Planning Officer of the TMA said TDC allocated portion of the land with part within the premises of the Ashaiman Health Centre to Madam Dadzie while TMA issued her with a permit.

Mr Lomotey said the lady had been pestering the TMA to have access to the land, adding, "as there is no land available for her, the best solution is to open an access for her".

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, Mr Alfred Agbesi who visited the scene, said the residents fenced the health centre, not only to prevent encroachment, but it had been earmarked for upgrading into a hospital.

Mr Agbesi, therefore, demanded a tangible explanation from both the TDC and the TMA for their action that had created anxiety among some residents of Ashaiman.

The TDC was established in 1952 by the Government to oversee land issues, the TMA which used to be Accra/Tema District Council became autonomous in 1974 and later the District Assembly in 1990 with Legislative Instrument 493, setting it up.