General News of Friday, 27 December 2002

Source: .

Ghana Railway to demolish unauthorised buildings

The Ghana Railway Company Ltd. (GRC) on Thursday said all licences for their lands have been revoked with immediate effect and it will embark on an exercise soon to demolish all unauthorised buildings and structures on these lands.

A statement signed in Accra by Mr D.K. Ablerdu, Area Manager of GRC, said all those who have been should start removing their kiosks and containers on all GRC land to avoid any embarrassment.

It said despite numerous warnings and notices in the media, squatters and trespassers are adamant and are putting up kiosks and buildings indiscriminately and "making the whole place unsightly and environmentally unfriendly".

"All squatters and trespassers, whether they are sitting on licence or otherwise are to note that licences have been revoked with immediate effect and are no longer applicable. A special exercise will be carried out soonest to demolish all unauthorised buildings and structures," it warned.

The GRC asked for assistance from the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in the exercise, adding that the armed forces and police task force would also be asked to assist in due course. "Management considers this exercise very serious and will go all out to see to its successful implementation," the statement said.