Over 40 houses in Fiapre demolished by Sunyani West Municipal Assembly

The Sunyani West Municipal Assembly, has undertaken one of the massive demolishing exercises in its municipality since it was established in November 2007 by the Legislature Instrument – LI 1881 and inaugurated on February 29, 2008.

The demolishing exercise, which took place on Wednesday, was led by the physical planning department of the assembly.

At the end of the exercise, over 40 houses and structures at Fiapre, were pulled down by the Sunyani West Municipal Assembly.

The demolition exercise followed several warnings by the municipal assembly against such illegal structures and buildings at places where these buildings and structures are not allowed to be there and hence described as an authorised places.

In a brief interaction with the Head of Physical Planning of the Sunyani West Municipal Assembly at the site, Madam Gifty Nyarko disclosed to Ghanaweb that the area where the domolition took place is a pathway for emergency exit for the town and that allowing structures and settlement in those areas are dangerous in case there is any emergency in the area.

”The Assembly has cautioned the property owners since 2013 and that they can not be allowed to stay and develop these slum community which the assembly may have to spend huge sums of money to evacuate them in future should the assembly continues not to act now” she said.

In an interview with some visibly fumed affected members of the community, they poured out their displeasure to Ghanaweb on the decision by the assembly to forcibly undertaking such an.exercise to demolish their buildings and structures.

Mr Kofi Asante, who couldn’t stand at the site to see his building razed down wept uncontrollably while casting aspersions on those taking up the exercise.

Fati Abubakar, a single mother whose structure was pulled down blamed the assembly for undertaking this exercise at a time when things are difficult in the country.

Another man, Mr Kuma Gilbert, who seemed indifferent pleaded to the assembly for extension of time. According to him ”even though the assembly has decided to carry out such exercise, we would have expected the assemnly to serve us with self notice to park our belongings before the assembly embarks on this exercise”.

The claims made by these affected residents is that there wasn’t any notice or sit down talk with the assembky before the action of demolition took place.

The Krontihene of Fiapre Traditional Council, Nana Donyina Kusi II, also gave explanation on the reasons for the demolition exercise. ”Most of the affected members are not ready to move out of these structures that is why the traditional leaders have to liaise with the assembly to apply force to clear these buildings and structures”.