The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has issued an ultimatum to owners of all unauthorized structures along the channel of the Odaw River to relocate within a week or have their buildings pulled down.

It is expected that after the notice over 400 structures scattered along the Odaw drain between the Korle Lagoon and the Apenkwa Bridge on the Motor way extension, a distance of about 7.2 kilometres would be pulled down. The buildings, which are mostly kiosks, in which about 1,500 persons operate, factories, offices and other buildings would be demolished. Some of the structures affected by the call are the Kpehe Methodist Chapel and the Danafco Engineering Limited building.

Mr. Isaac T. Adjovu, the Co-ordinating Director of AMA, said the assembly is taking these measures to reduce the effects of flooding along the Odaw channel on the lives and property of people in Accra.

Mr. Adjovu said regulations stipulate that there should be no development along the Odaw River for a distance of 100 feet from either bank. The regulations also state that there should be no development for a distance of about 60 feet from the banks of the Onyasia River, near Alajo.

The Co-ordinating Director said affected structures are to be removed by their owners within a week of being marked and persons with development permits covering any of these structures are to present such permits to the AMA sub-Metro offices for advice.

Mr. Albert Djandoh, in charge of the "Urban Four Project", said the government has a program to build permanent drainage structures for the Odaw river and other streams in the metropolis. "It requires substantial investments, mostly from foreign credits to implement this program. While waiting for the funding for this program, the least we can do as residents in Accra is to avoid placing structures within the drain reserve and prevent flood disasters."

During a tour of the area by officials and the media, some residents were seen defecating along the river banks with very little concern and most of the areas had heaps of rubbish, muddy and soaked.