NO PROCRASTINATION (JUNE 23, 2009)

THE floods that hit Accra at the weekend exposed the inefficiencies of statutory authorities in the city.
On umpteen times, the Daily Graphic has had to draw attention to the dangers posed by encroachment on watercourses and other areas designated for public use other than dwelling and office accommodation.
Nobody heeded our appeals because, just as the vulture promises to put up houses in the rainy season but forgets about the shelter in the dry season, so did we also fail to prepare for the rainy day.
So far, the casualty levels appear manageable. Provident has been on our side, to the extent that we are yet to experience long hours and days of torrential rainfall associated with countries in South East Asia such as India, China and Bangladesh.
Even with the two to three-hour rainfall on Friday, the havoc is catastrophic; seven lives have been lost, while property destroyed runs into millions of cedis.
Part of the main Obetsebi-Lamptey Circle-Kaneshie-Odokor road has been rendered unmotorable because the flood waters removed the asphaltic surface, creating vehicular traffic, while shops and garages were inundated with water. Residential facilities were not spared, rendering many people homeless.
Now that some people have lost their lives and some property destroyed, our public officials have responded quickly with assurances to repair the damage caused to public property and provide relief items for those who have been displaced by the floods.
In Accra and elsewhere, many streams and rivers traverse the cities, but in cities where the local authorities have value for the streams, they have maintained their original status to help promote tourism.
The Odaw River in Accra has the potential to generate revenue for the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) if the water front is developed for recreational activities. Institutions and individuals will pay to erect any facility, including food joints and billboards, in front of the Odaw River and the revenue which will accrue will assist the AMA to maintain the aesthetic beauty of the river.
But what do we see? The rivers have been polluted with industrial waste, faecal matter and garbage generated by the residents.
Some residents have also encroached on watercourses by erecting unauthorised kiosks and other structures for commercial activities and for residential accommodation.
The Korle Lagoon Restoration Project has been stalled because squatters at Sodom and Gomorrah have refused to vacate the place for the project to continue.
The Daily Graphic recalls exercises initiated few years ago to demolish structures on watercourses in some parts of Accra but sections of society kicked against the move.
Although a few of the houses were demolished, some residents of Anyaa placed a court injunction on the exercise.
We should encourage the rule of law, but since it is a generally held view that “he who calls for equity must go with clean hands”, we urge all Ghanaians, particularly residents of Accra, to respect the rules governing the erection of structures.
Floods and their attendant problems will continue to be part of our daily endeavours during rainy seasons if we fail to clear all unauthorised structures in the city.
To begin with, city authorities can commence the exercise along the watercourses, major roads and railway lines and demolish all unapproved structures.
If we fail to enforce the laws of the country which frown on the construction of structures at unauthorised places, Friday’s catastrophe will keep knocking at our door.
The Daily Graphic believes that the city authorities will not wait for another catastrophe before they begin pontificating about what to do to maintain discipline and order in the city.