The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) Techiman North District Directorate has intensified efforts to prevent flooding by embarking on an inspection exercise at Offuman Abease, a community identified as one of the flood-prone areas in the district.
The exercise forms part of ongoing measures by the Directorate to reduce the risk of flooding and protect lives and property, particularly as communities continue to experience the effects of unplanned development in waterways and other vulnerable locations.
During the inspection, officials discovered that several developers had undertaken construction works without obtaining the required development permits. The Directorate subsequently directed the developers to halt all ongoing construction activities until they comply with the necessary planning and regulatory requirements.
The District Director of NADMO, Adamu Mohammed explained that unauthorized developments in flood-prone areas continue to pose a major threat to effective flood management, stressing that enforcing planning regulations is critical to preventing avoidable disasters.
As part of the exercise, the team paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Offuman Traditional Council, Nana Kwaku Gyan Broko II, to brief him on the findings and the measures being undertaken to safeguard the community.
The Omanhene commended the Directorate for the proactive intervention, describing the exercise as timely and necessary to protect residents from the devastating effects of flooding. He requested an inventory of all the affected buildings identified during the inspection to enable the Traditional Council to support the enforcement process.
Nana Kwaku Gyan Broko II further assured the NADMO team of the full support of the Offuman Traditional Council in addressing illegal developments within the community. He emphasized the need for residents and developers to comply with planning regulations and obtain the necessary permits before undertaking any construction projects.
The Techiman North NADMO Directorate reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with traditional authorities, local government institutions and other stakeholders to enforce building regulations, promote orderly development and strengthen disaster risk reduction measures across the district.
The Directorate also urged residents, landowners and developers to desist from putting up structures in waterways and other flood-prone areas without the appropriate permits, warning that such developments not only violate planning regulations but also endanger lives and property during the rainy season.
Source: Newspyramid.com
