Saltpond (C/R), June 15, GNA - The District Chief Executive for Mfantseman, Mr Robert Quainoo-Arthur has charged Building Inspectors and officials of the Town and Country Planning Department to discharge their duties without fear or favour.

He reminded them of their important role in disaster management and urged them to be strict in the discharge of their work. "Do not compromise on violation of building regulations since one person's disobedience could cause a disaster, which can affect thousands of people", the DCE stated.

The DCE gave the advice at a meeting with the chiefs and assembly members of communities affected by last week's floods. Officials of the Department of Town and Country Planning, the District Building Inspector, PWD and Feeder Roads Engineers, the Police and officials of National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) were also present.

The meeting was to identify, the causes of the flood and how to prevent its recurrence.

It came to light that people ignored layout plans for communities and had been putting up structures in waterways while road contractors did not construct drains to specification while people dumped refuse at unauthorised places.

Mr Quainoo-Arthur said the inscription of "stop work" orders on buildings were not enough, adding, the authorities should ensure that their order was carried out and demolish the structures where necessary. Mr William Adjei Benin, Central Regional Co-ordinator of NADMO cautioned that the organisation would not go to the aid of people who lived in buildings, which could be described as "hazardous" and could lead to disaster.

Mr Benin stated that "poverty should not make us put our lives on the line" and called for the regular maintenance of buildings to make them safe at all times for habitation.

He appealed to the people to discard attitudes, which could lead to disaster.