General News of Thursday, 25 January 2007

Source: GNA

Squatters warned against development

Accra, Jan. 25 GNA - The Accra Regional Police Command on Thursday warned residents of Sodom and Gomorah to stop all development works at the site until investigation into the cause of the fire outbreak was complete.

A statement signed by Inspector Kwaku Dompreh of the Public Affairs Unit, said the Command had noted that some residents were erecting structures on the site when investigations were still ongoing. The statement said the action by the residents would tamper with vital exhibits and clues that would assist investigations into the fire outbreak.

Fire broke out at Sodom and Gomorah on Thursday January 18, destroying a number of makeshift homes and other properties. In a related development, the Regional Police also warned those selling along the ceremonial roads in the city to stop or face the law. It said that anybody found hawking along those roads would be arrested and prosecuted.

The statement denied allegations by some hawkers that some of their wares were stolen during the demolishing exercise recently undertaken by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to decongest the city and rid it of filth.

It said the AMA took custody of the wares and asked affected persons to contact officials of the Assembly.