By Christopher Arko, GNA
Accra, Dec. 10, GNA - Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology has advised residents of Accra especially those living in earthquake prone areas to adhere to proper building codes.
According to him, one of the ways to prepare for any possibility is to follow the correct building codes, saying there are ways to build structures to make them earthquake proof.
Prof. Frimpong Boateng gave the advice when he spoke to the media in Parliament on the recent earth tremors that shook parts of Accra on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
The Ghana Geological Survey Authority in recent times had warned about the possible earthquake in Accra and other coastal areas that fall within zones where the fault lines are active.
The tremor, which occurred between 07.45 to 07.50 hours on Sunday morning had raised concerns about the country’s preparedness to deal with such situations.
Prof. Frimpong Boateng also advised residents of the city to follow the right building regulations in terms of laying of pipelines, electricity and other utilities for it to be able to withstand any earthquake activity.
He assured that there should be no cause for alarm, saying nobody can predict when an earthquake would occur.
“Earthquake is a natural phenomenon, which helps nature to regulate the system, so we should not be worried” he added.
Prof. Frimpong Boateng also advised residents of earth prone areas to engage qualified architects, structural engineers and other professionals to help them build structures, which are earthquake resistant.
He agreed that though the services of these professionals could be expensive, however, the lives of the people were more expensive.
“It may be expensive but in the long run our lives are more expensive than the buildings we put up…. So, I will urge people to use qualified people when they are doing any construction” he said.
GNA
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