The Ejisu Municipal Assembly (EMA) has vowed to punish any developer who build on waterways. The move was part of measures implemented by the assembly to curb flooding in the Municipality.
According to the assembly, irrespective of the status of individuals carrying such inhumane activities, stiff punishment will be meted out to them if nabbed.
The assembly said in order to end flooding in the area, swampy lands, waterlogged areas and nature reserves must be protected.
Meanwhile, the residents of Ejisu have in the previous days raised concerns about attempts by some ghosts developers filling River Afiasu at Akyawkrom, between Ejisu and Besease opposite goil filling station.
A proposed market meant to be built in the Municipality last year was cancelled due to flooding that brought business activities in the area into a standstill. Traders and travellers who ply on the Efiduase road were all affected.
The people expressed disappointment in the then assembly about why a waterway or swampy land unsafe for construction can be given to a developer to fill despite their own bylaws prohibiting building on waterways.
They suspected that, the EMA at that time sold the place to the developer. They accused the assembly of deliberately overlooking the illegal act but they were quick to adding that, the developers only work at dawn at the blind side of the people.
For quick response and intervention to safeguard the situation, the newly appointed and confirmed MCE for the Ejisu Municipality, Hon. Samuel Oduro Frimpong had implore strict plans to end the problem.
After their maiden meeting with the members of the assembly on Monday, November 1, 2021, the Hon. Member went to the site to put a stop to the unlawful act.
Reiterating his commitment to dealing with the issue today, November 3, 2021 on a local station in the region, Silver FM on their morning show dubbed Omanbapa monitored by filasconews.com, the MCE stressed that, the progress of the uncalled for activity on the river has ended today saying the assembly headed by him will never tolerate illegalities and activities that pose danger to the people and nature reserves in the Municipality.
He told the host, Nana Ampratwum that punishment will go to anyone found building on wetlands.
Hon. Oduro hinted that the assembly will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute offenders of such behaviour adding that they will go for the developer to ask him some relevant questions as to why he defied all odds and chose to build on the waterways causing flooding in the area.
“Not under my watch, anybody who will make an attempt to build in waterways will be arrested and prosecuted”, Mr. Samuel Oduro said and urged traditional leaders in the Municipality to help the assembly curb the menace.
He finally disclosed that, all the heaped sand used to filling the River has been graded off to pave way for the water flow.
