KMA advises buildings along Sisan stream to relocate

Kumasi, Sept 29, GNA - The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has advised residents of Oforikrom and Anloga who have either cited their buildings on or close to the Sisan stream to relocate. According to the KMA, since it does not have the financial capacity to construct a major drain on the Sisan stream, the most appropriate solution to the constant flooding of their homes was for them to leave the area.

This was contained in a statement issued by the KMA and signed by Mr Otor Plahar, the acting Metropolitan Public Relations Officer. This was after Madam Patricia Appiagyei, the acting Metropolitan Chief Executive and Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister and officials from the KMA visited Oforikrom and Anloga, two suburbs worst hit by the recent rains in the metropolis.

The statement said most of the affected buildings were either on the waterways or close to it and has no building permits. The assembly has therefore reiterated its warning to prospective developers in the metropolis to stop building on or near waterways. The statement expressed concern about the continued dumping of refuse into drains and said this was partly responsible for the flooding in parts of the city.

"The KMA would wish to take this opportunity to advice all prospective developers to obtain requisite building permit from the assembly before putting up any residential or commercial property in the metropolis to avoid similar catastrophe in future".

It said even though the assembly was solely vested with the responsibility of not only infrastructure development in the metropolis but also land use management, it behoved on all to act within the confines of the assembly's bye-laws so that the assembly and residents together can transform Kumasi into an ideal metropolis worthy of reference. 29 Sept 05