A task group headed by Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, the mayor of Accra, has been established to enforce the Assembly’s building permit requirements, reinforcing the legal mandate that all developers must get the required permissions prior to starting work.
Hoarding, change of use, renovations, land subdivision, demolition, billboard erection, and other land uses encompassing towns such as North Kaneshie, Bubuashie, Avenor, and the Industrial Area were the main topics of the exercise, which was held on Tuesday.
Speaking during the exercise, the mayor stated that it was in accordance with section 1(1) of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly Bye-laws, 2017 (Building/Physical Development), which requires developers to “apply for a development and a building permit before that developer commences development.”
He took advantage of the occasion to call on developers to follow the building codes in order to prevent penalties, maintain public safety, promote orderly physical development, and support the city’s sustainable growth.
The mayor emphasized that penalties outlined in the Building Regulations, L.I. 1630, are not equivalent to a building permit and cautioned that those who develop without the necessary permits face severe financial penalties.
“A person who contravenes the bylaw commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than one hundred penalty units or a term of imprisonment of not less than thirty days and not more than six months or to both; and in case of a continuing offence, is liable to a fine of not more than one penalty unit for each day that the offence continues,” he said.
Developers’ working tools were confiscated during the operation if they were unable to provide legitimate building permits and the necessary paperwork.
The Mayor also took advantage of the occasion to tour the Accra Sempe School, the Ga Mashie Development Authority (GAMADA), and Jamestown’s new fishing harbor and abattoir.
Source: newsthemegh.com