The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai, Mr Sebastian Obeng, has issued a strong warning to owners of unauthorised structures erected on waterways and other restricted areas to regularise their permits or face demolition as the Assembly intensifies efforts to prevent future flooding.
The warning follows a heavy downpour that lasted for about an hour and caused flooding in parts of the municipality, submerging homes, destroying property and temporarily displacing a number of families.
Mr Obeng gave the warning after touring the affected communities to assess the extent of damage caused by the floods and interact with affected residents.
Speaking to journalists after the inspection, the MCE described the flooding as unfortunate and blamed the situation largely on human activities, particularly the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains and waterways, as well as the construction of buildings on watercourses.
According to him, these practices have obstructed the natural flow of water, making many communities vulnerable to flooding whenever there is a heavy rainfall.
He said the Assembly had over the years received several reports of encroachment on waterways and unauthorised physical developments, adding that decisive action would now be taken to address the situation.
Mr Obeng stressed that developers who had put up structures without the necessary approvals or had encroached on waterways would be required to regularise their permits where applicable, while structures that violated planning regulations or posed a threat to public safety would be demolished.
“The Assembly will not sit unconcerned while a few individuals endanger the lives and property of many residents. We are determined to enforce the planning regulations to prevent future flooding and protect our communities,” he stated.
The MCE assured residents that the Assembly was committed to implementing measures that would reduce the municipality’s vulnerability to flooding, including enforcing development control regulations, clearing choked drains and intensifying public education on environmental sanitation.
He appealed to residents to support the Assembly’s efforts by disposing of refuse responsibly and avoiding activities that obstruct drains and waterways.
Mr Obeng further urged prospective developers to obtain the necessary building permits and strictly comply with planning regulations before commencing construction.
He cautioned that the Assembly would not hesitate to remove structures found to have been erected on waterways or other prohibited locations, emphasising that safeguarding lives and property remained a top priority.
He expressed the hope that stronger enforcement of planning laws, coupled with public cooperation, would help minimise the occurrence of floods and promote orderly development across the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality.
