The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has ordered developers to halt the construction of buildings in the city and produce permits or face sanctions.
Chief Executive of the AMA, Mohammed Adjei Sowah, gave the directive on Tuesday when he led a team from the Assembly on an inspection of buildings under construction in the Okaikoi South Sub-Metropolitan District without a permit.
The AMA boss who was accompanied by officers from the Metropolitan Works and Physical Planning Departments visited the North Kaneshie community where they issued eight (8) notices to some developers to halt construction and produce permits by Friday 17th September before they would be allowed to proceed with the construction.
Speaking after the site visit, he pointed out that the Assembly was mandated to conduct periodic inspections on new and existing buildings; investigate complaints regarding safety requirements; ensure that developers construct per the building code to ensure the safety of residents.
” The purpose of these routine inspections is to find out whether developers have the requisite documentation, permits and approval,” he said adding that in instances where they do not have permits they were either asked to stop work and submit their documents for processing.
He noted that any developer who intends to construct any project such as residential and commercial buildings in the Metropolis must be given a building permit before commencing construction as required by Section 49 of the Local Government Act 462 (1993) which states that “No physical development shall be carried out in a district without the prior approval in the form of a written permit granted by the District Planning Authority”
He further cautioned developers to follow the laid down procedures before embarking on any construction work in the metropolis to avoid sanctions.