Mr. Mustapha Ahmed, the Upper West Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), has made an appeal to Parliament to pass a law that would empower NADMO to grant permits for building construction in the country. This, he believes, will help prevent the construction of houses and structures on waterways and water-logged areas, thereby addressing the recurring issue of flooding that poses risks to the lives and property of residents.
Under the current National Disaster Management Organization Act, 2016 (Act 927), NADMO can only provide recommendations, while the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) serve as the enforcement agencies with the authority to accept or reject those recommendations. Mr. Ahmed hopes that the Ministry of Interior, the Ministries of Works and Housing, and the Local Government can collaborate and grant NADMO the responsibility of granting building permits. By doing so, NADMO would be able to prevent the construction of buildings on waterways, assuming the role of blocking such activities.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Wa, Mr. Ahmed expressed these views in response to recent flood incidents in Wa caused by heavy rainfall. He highlighted that human activities, including building on waterways and poor sanitation practices such as indiscriminate waste disposal, contributed to the floods. He attributed the issue to inadequate supervision by the assemblies and their failure to enforce regulations on building permits, endangering the lives of innocent people.
Mr. Ahmed emphasized the need for autonomy to be granted to NADMO, allowing them to issue building permits and prevent construction on waterways. He stated that during flood incidents, people often sought assistance from NADMO instead of the local assemblies, which demonstrated the lack of proactive measures taken by the latter. Mr. Ahmed also mentioned that NADMO is actively engaged in community and public sensitization programs to educate the public on precautions to prevent or minimize the impact of flooding.
Regarding the development pace of the Wa municipality, Mr Ahmed pointed out that the Wa Municipal Assembly had not adequately considered the rapid growth and the corresponding need for improved drainage systems. He commended the Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, for acting on NADMO's recommendations and facilitating the construction of improved drainage systems in some areas of the Wa township.
Source: GNA
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