The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has served notice it will start surcharging offenders of its by-laws in the Accra metropolis.

This caution was contained in a press statement issued by Numo Blafo III, head of Public Affairs of the AMA on Tuesday 21 March.

The statement said: “The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) wishes to remind the general public, especially all those who are putting up structures on government-reserved lands such as along the Odaw river, Korle lagoon, Old Fadama, the East Legon Green Belt, Mensah Guinea, Railway Station (around Circle VIP Terminal), the stretch from Avenor to the Sikkens bridge, Agbogbloshie ,Glefe and Chemunaa where structures were removed last year and left fallow to enhance the ongoing dredging project, to remove them immediately. Furthermore, hawkers who have turned footbridges and the under-pass of over-head bridges into trading points are to stop these activities now. All those who are selling on pavements and roads in the metropolis are being reminded that their activities are contrary to AMA Street Hawking bye-laws 2011.

“While those hawking in the middle of the road are breaking the above mentioned by-laws as well as the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2008(Act 761) Section 29(2). All are again being reminded that it is an offence to dispose of refuse, especially e-waste, in water ways.

“In addition, [those fond of] unauthorised parking of vehicles on pavements and roads, especially mechanical shops and car garage owners, are to desist from such practices and remove all vehicles either on repairs or abandoned from the shoulders of roads. AMA officials will clamp and tow such vehicles and surcharge the offenders for the cost of removal. Finally, removal of such structures shall commence from Wednesday March 22, 2017 and they should know that constructing without permit is an offence punishable by law.”