General News of Tuesday, 11 November 1997

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Integrate Planning Department Into Assemblies - Planner

Ejisu (Ashanti Region), 9 Nov. A planner has advocated the adoption of a policy making the Building and Inspectorate Unit of the District Assemblies an integral part of the Town and Country Planning Department to enhance efficiency in physical development. Mr. Augustine Kusi, Ejisu-Juabeng District Town and Country Planning Officer, said such an arrangement would pave the way for proper coordination and efficiency in the monitoring and execution of planning and development decisions of the assemblies. Mr. Kusi made the call in an interview with the GNA at Ejisu on the low pace of implementation of planning decisions and avenues that could be explored to facilitate development in the district. He regretted that the present arrangement whereby the building and inspectorate unit forms a core department of the assemblies but remains separated from the Town and Country Planning Outfit does not rpt not augur well for the speedy implementation of decisions. Mr. Kusi advised chiefs and local communities to cooperate with the Town and Country Planning Office to ensure the proper infrastructural development of their areas. He called on chiefs to avoid the use of quack surveyors in the demarcation of their plots and the drawing of their layout schemes and urged them to make full use of personnel of the Town and Country Planning Office.