Works and Housing Minister, Samuel Atta Akyea, has directed the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to deal ruthlessly with individuals who build on waterways.

The Minister blames such developers partly for the flooding that occurs in Accra every year.

Mr Akyea gave the directive during an inspection of drainage works in the capital in preparedness for the rainy season.

Successive governments have been criticised for not having the political will to pull down buildings in waterways.

Mr Akyea stated that: “For a man to be consciously aware that this is a no-go area but nevertheless will go and put up structures which will stand in a way of water, if we are strong in lawlessness and impunity, this nation will not go forward, so, I believe in the bulldozer principle.”

He added: “If a man is disrespectful of the laws of this country and will go and site a structure and the siting of the structure in that particular place will have serious consequences for the larger community, then your house is no more important than the sufferings of the crowd, then, it should be dealt with ruthlessly”.