Residents of La-Bawaleshie at East Legon have petitioned the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly over alleged construction activities by a developer which they say have worsened flooding and restricted access to their homes.
The residents said the construction had also raised concerns about the structural integrity of some residential buildings and the ability of emergency vehicles, particularly fire engines, to access the affected area.
In a letter to the Municipal Chief Executive of the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly, the residents appealed to the Assembly to urgently dispatch building inspectors and engineers to assess the development and take the necessary action.
The petition was signed by Ebenezer Abam, the Asafoatse, on behalf of the residents.
Flooding
They stated in their petition that the developer had filled his site with large quantities of earth before commencing construction, raising the level of the land and leaving the adjoining community lane at a lower level.
A wall erected on a gutter
It read that the change in levels had affected the natural flow of rainwater, resulting in flooding during heavy rains, with water entering homes and damaging property.
The residents said although the developer had promised to construct a gutter to address the problem, they believed the works had worsened the situation.
They alleged that the drainage was excavated close to the foundations of existing residential buildings, raising concerns about the safety and stability of the structures.
“Since constructing this gutter, the flooding has worsened, submerging the entire area whenever it rains,” the letter read.
Access to homes
The residents further complained that portions of the drainage had been covered with concrete, while pillars and a fence had been erected, leaving only a narrow passage between the existing houses and the new development.
The letter also stated that despite the developer being aware that residents owned vehicles, he had allegedly directed them to park at a nearby filling station instead of their homes, emphasising that the development had effectively prevented vehicles from accessing their homes.
The residents also alleged that the developer had encroached on another person’s fence.
Emergency services
They said the restriction of access was of particular concern because emergency vehicles such as the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) would be unable to reach affected homes in the event of a fire or other emergency which could put life and property at risk.
They said their objective was not to prevent lawful development but to ensure that construction in the area was undertaken responsibly, with adequate drainage and access maintained to protect lives and property.
They, therefore, urged the Assembly to investigate the development, assess its compliance with planning and building regulations and order the removal of any obstructions found to be affecting access and drainage.
They further appealed for the relevant authorities to investigate the concerns and help find a lasting resolution.
