Laboma Beach Business Development Manager, Nii Lante Bruce, says management has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama over plans to demolish some structures at the beach following a 21-day notice issued by the Greater Accra Regional Minister and the Regional Security Council (REGSEC).
Speaking to Isaac Addae on Morning Starr on Starr FM, Nii Lante Bruce said the petition formed part of efforts by management to engage the government and push for a scientific assessment of the flooding situation before any demolition is carried out.
He said the Greater Accra Regional Minister and REGSEC had earlier visited the area, marked some buildings for demolition and issued the 21-day notice.
According to him, management used the period to engage the government while also petitioning the President.
“We even went ahead to commission a hydrologist to do a hydrological survey of the entire area,” he said.
Nii Lante Bruce said management also engaged dredgers and machines to enlarge the Kpeshie Lagoon to increase its capacity to hold water.
He argued that the flooding situation requires a holistic approach, insisting that demolishing structures at Laboma without addressing other factors would not provide a lasting solution.
“We wanted a holistic approach because a knee-jerk reaction to the flood that occurred would not solve any problem,” he said.
He further pointed to structures allegedly built on waterways upstream, saying they prevent water from flowing directly into the lagoon.
Nii Lante Bruce said management’s concern is not to prevent efforts to address flooding but to ensure that any intervention is based on proper technical assessment.
He also warned that demolishing Laboma Beach could have significant economic consequences, given the number of people whose livelihoods depend directly and indirectly on activities at the facility.
According to him, the beach’s ecosystem includes workers in restaurants and hotels, security personnel, vendors, ticketing staff, administrators and others.
He estimated that more than 6,000 people could be affected through direct and indirect employment if the facility’s operations are disrupted.
“…that claims linking Laboma Beach to flooding must be supported by technical evidence, insisting that management is seeking a scientific assessment of the entire area before further action is taken”. He said.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Pamela Quayson
