Squarters looking on as the structures are pulled down
A Task Force of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), on Saturday carried yet another demolition exercise at Abossey Okai, near the Korle Lagoon, to rid the city of illegal structures.
Two heavy excavators pulled down and shoved a number of wooden kiosks, brothels, broken car parts, heaps of recycled polythene materials located behind the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC).
The exercise formed part of efforts by the assembly to remove illegal structures on the Korle Lagoon Ecological Restoration Project (KLERP).
Heavily armed police officers supervised the demolition on the parcel of land belonging to the National Sports Council.
One Henry Okine, believed to be the head of the AMA Security and Task Force declined to comment when contacted, but The Ghanaian Times gathered that notices were served on the squatters to leave the place about three weeks ago.
The KLERP started few years ago, and aimed to clear the city of filth, particularly the lagoon which is heavily polluted by activities of squatters.
Few weeks ago, the assembly communicated its readiness at a press conference in Accra to continue demolition of structures built illegally on government lands.
The assembly, following the expiration of the ultimatum went to the place to effect the law.
The squatters watched in awe on the rainy morning as excavators razed down their stores, mini shops, wooden shops, and other compartments used as places of abode.
Chief Superintendent Kwesi Ofori, in charge of Regional Police Operations said the squatters pose security threats to motorists and other road users on the Korle-Bu- Abossey Okai road.
He said some drug peddlers who used the area as a safe haven attacked people in traffic, adding that the police would be patrolling the area from time to time to maintain law and order.
By Malik Sullemana
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