Sekondi, Oct. 8, GNA- Madam Sophia Horner-Sam, Deputy Western Regional Minister on Wednesday charged institutions responsible for the enforcement of land and building regulations to do so impartially to ensure orderly development and prevent avoidable disasters.

The Deputy Regional Minister was speaking at a press conference organised by the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to launch the regional programme of activities for this year's World Disaster Reduction Day at Sekondi.

Madam Horner-Sam asked land and building officials to do away with nepotism and favouritism in the performance of their duties so that people would stop putting up structures in waterways and on unauthorised areas.

She said unauthorised electricity and water connections had been carelessly done in some parts of the metropolis, thereby, exposing the public to great danger during heavy rains. The Deputy Regional Minister said contractors who use inferior materials for construction also expose the people to great risk. Madam Horner-Sam called for the adoption of a national culture of disaster prevention, based on information dissemination in all communities.

"It is when such a link has been established that a society vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters can sustain a healthy environment which would promote economic growth and national development", she said.

Mr Tim Arthur, Regional Fire Officer, said the Regional Fire Service had set up a committee to take adequate measures to prevent fire outbreaks at the markets.

Mr Arthur said the public tampers with located water hydrants in the metropolis during water shortages. Some people have even built kiosks over water hydrants in some places and that the Service was taking steps to ensure that all hydrants became functional. Mr Padmore Yonkopa Arthur, Regional Coordinator of NADMO, said the organisation was asking for a law against unauthorised structures. He said currently, the Service could not stop or pull down unauthorised buildings because it does not have the power to do so.