… over chaotic development of city
THE KUMASI Planning Committee (KPC), the statutory body which plans the orderly development of Kumasi and issues all permits based on schemes evolved by it has come under criticism. Former members of the KMA have blamed the KPC headed by the Metro Chief Executive for the chaotic development of the metropolis.

They have therefore called for a review of building permits in order to reverse the situation.

The respondents who were reacting to the December 16, OA building disaster wondered why the plot of land was allocated for the construction of a bus terminal at all.

According to them it was not proper for the KPC to have rezoned a parcel of land meant for a tennis court for the construction of a transport terminal without taking into consideration the dangers it could pose to society.

They attributed the collapse of the building to soil and structural failure and constructional defects and have therefore suggested that the building permit for the construction of the bus terminal should be revoked to avert further disasters.

They urged the KPC to do the right thing and ensure the proper planning and development of the city.

Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council, headed by the Regional Minister, Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Asamoah Owusu-Ansah has appointed a Committee to probe into the circumstances that have led to intermittent collapse of buildings in the Region lately.

Mr. Charles Ampomah Mensah, the Metro Engineer of over 20 years experience and a member of the fact finding committee, who has denied that the OA building collapsed as a result of its location on a waterlogged land site, said the Committee would get to the bottom of the causes of the intermittent collapse of buildings.

Engineer Mensah called for the enactment of proactive laws that would make it mandatory for projects to be handled by only qualified building professionals at all stages of the construction.

Such private projects, he suggested, should also undergo swift supervision to avoid recurrences of disasters.

It is high time the habit of engaging untrained and wayside technicians with limited knowldledge in design, planning and materials for projects be stopped, the KMA engineer noted.