The Central Regional Directorate of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has issued a 14-day evacuation notice to residents and business owners occupying dilapidated buildings across the region. The directive, announced in collaboration with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and security agencies, requires immediate action as the rainy season peaks.
Over 500 residents in several towns and cities within the region have been identified as occupying buildings at risk of sudden structural failure. NADMO has stressed that the risk has significantly increased due to persistent rainfall and deteriorating building conditions.
In a public notice, NADMO warned that any structure still occupied after the expiration of the 14-day grace period will be subject to enforced demolition by the respective assemblies, with associated costs borne by the property owner.
The warning comes amid growing concerns over the safety of ageing and poorly maintained buildings across parts of the Central Region. NADMO has urged members of the public to report hazardous structures to their local district assemblies or the nearest NADMO office for assessment and possible intervention.
Property structural integrity is a matter of life and death. In the wake of the warning, residents are advised to seek alternative accommodation while local authorities work with security agencies to ensure compliance with the directive.
The National Disaster Management Organisation will be working closely with local authorities and security agencies to enforce this directive and prevent potential disasters. In a related development, the Ghana Building and Road Research Institute (GBRI) has expressed support for the NADMO directive, stating that the current state of building maintenance requires immediate attention to avert tragedies.
The Ghana News Agency reported that the Central Regional NADMO Director, Mr. Emmanuel Osei, has assured that steps are being taken to ensure the safety of residents and business owners who have been asked to vacate the affected buildings.
Residents in Central Ghana have just 14 days to vacate structurally weak buildings as heavy rains intensify, a directive by NADMO has warned. Several ageing and poorly maintained structures have raised safety concerns, and authorities are taking drastic measures to prevent disasters.
Several building collapse incidents have been reported in the region in the past few years, resulting in loss of life and property damage. In response, the government has called for improved building maintenance to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
The NADMO directive has been praised by residents who have been living in fear of building collapse. According to them, the sudden collapse of buildings has become a recurring nightmare in many communities within the region.
NADMO has assured the public that it will continue working with local authorities and security agencies to ensure compliance with the directive and avert potential disasters. In its statement, NADMO warned that any property owner who fails to comply with the directive will face severe consequences.
A number of residents who still occupy dilapidated buildings have expressed concerns over their ability to relocate to safer accommodation. According to them, many of the alternative housing options are either too expensive or have been occupied by other families.
The Ghana News Agency has reported that the government is working on a plan to provide affordable housing options for low-income families. The plan is aimed at addressing the issue of housing shortages in many communities within the region.
The Central Regional NADMO Director, Mr. Emmanuel Osei, has appealed to residents to exercise patience and cooperate with authorities as they work to ensure compliance with the directive. According to him, the safety of residents is paramount, and authorities will stop at nothing to prevent any potential disasters.