Ga South Assembly won't pay compensation
The Ga South Municipal Assembly (GSMA) says it is not responsible for paying compensation to people who have illegally sited their properties around the Weija Dam and now face imminent floods.
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The Chief Executive of the assembly, Mr Jerry Acquaye Thompson, however, stated that “ if there is any compensation to be paid, the Ghana Urban Water Limited (GUWL) must be the entity to bear it because it is their work that will be affecting the lives of these people”.
The GUWL has indicated in an earlier interview with the Daily Graphic that it is not prepared to pay compensation to any property owner in and around the Weija Dam.
The Communications Manager of the company, Mr Stanley Martey, said if there was any compensation to be paid, the GSMA must be the one to do so since the area fell under its jurisdiction.
But, Mr Acquaye Thompson said the GUWL was only running away from its responsibilities.
“We have not issued any permit to any developer so how is the payment of compensation our problem?” he asked.
He, however, explained that there were some areas such as Tsokome, Bortianor, Pambros, which did not fall under the buffer zone of the dam but were still affected by the spillage.
The GUWL, he indicated, must compensate such people, and added that “ It is when the person has built illegally that the GUWL can exonerate itself from paying compensation”.
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The GUWL has warned of imminent floods in seven communities in the Ga South municipality. To avoid any disaster, the company has asked residents of these areas to relocate but that has come with resistance, as some are claiming compensation before they will move.
“None of the developers has permit and can, therefore not claim compensation from this assembly”, Mr Acquaye Thompson stated.
He blamed the prevailing situation on indiscipline, stating that all those who had built their homes illegally were aware that it was wrong because his interaction with some of them indicated that they were educated men and women.
“The GSMA was established in 1998 at a time when most of these developments have taken place”, Mr Acquaye Thompson further stated.
The GSMA MCE was at that time the chief executive for Ga District which included Ga West, Ga South, Ga East and Ga Central.
“We gave boundaries in 1998 to control development around the area and I was, therefore, very sad when I came to see the whole place filled with illegal structures”, he stated.
“Developers whose structures are deemed to be dangerous have been served with notices by the assembly to find alternative places because for sure some of the structures close to the dam will have to be pulled down”, Mr Acquaye Thompson said.
According to the MCE, notices had been served to some 10 property owners, and they were required to advise themselves before any action was taken by the assembly.
The GUWL has already began spilling excess water from the Weija Dam to avoid a permanent damage to Accra’s only water treatment plant and has deepened calls for residents to relocate.
Story by Naa Lamiley Lamptey
Writer’s email: naa.bentil@graphic.com.gh