This comes after several concerns were raised about the safety of the structures by managers of the flats, the Tema Development Corporation.

The flats have developed deep cracks with iron rods protruding from the concrete and the plastering peeling off.

The four flats, which are blocks 407, 408, 410 and 415 since 1982, have been declared inhabitable, but the occupants have been in court battling the issue out until a definite directive was given by the high court  in 2018, directing the occupants to vacate by 31st January for its original owners [TDC] to redevelop them.

As at Thursday morning, the flat was empty with just a handful of residents loitering around with their luggage.

The spokesperson for the affected residents, Adjei Lomotey, noted that “though we are not happy with the decision by the court asking us to move out, we have decided not to appeal the decision any longer, but allow TDC to carry on with its intended developmental agenda”.

He said ” we have had some agreement with TDC which is that, TDC says it will give us the first option to purchase the affordable houses when completed, and that is yet to be put on paper, so we would want that to be done as soon as possible so we are not pushed away when the time comes”.

Meanwhile, the Greater Accra Regional NADMO Coordinator, Archibald Cobinah, has declared the site of the four flats a danger zone.

The four flats have all been cordoned off with the entrances to the various rooms braced with wood to prevent occupants from entering.

The affected residents include 53 children and 134 adults.

However, there are some other flats that are equally weak with similar cracks in them as those earmarked for demolition, but it is not clear what the TDC intends to do with them.

Their reason is that, those flats have been bought by their occupants, and so they do not have control over them any longer.

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By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Occupants of ‘condemned’ Kaizer Flats in Tema move out appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the residents, these two key stakeholders under whose purview the community is situated have failed to live up to expectations.

The residents, who on their own are putting up a ¢500,000 modern police post, say they have a duty as responsible citizens to contribute their quota to the development of their community.

They however complained about not getting enough support from the authorities in achieving their development agenda.

The plush community located off the Tema-Aflao highway, is faced with some key challenges including security, severe traffic jams during peak and off peak hours including weekends, as well as failure on the part of TDC to ensure strict enforcement of its own by-laws.

“We have gotten to a point where those of us living here cannot plan anything on this road because at any point in time there is traffic, even on Sundays. This is all because of official neglect. We in this community are not looking for any big thing from authorities, all we need is for them to manage the traffic situation and provide appropriate road signs for us”

The residents mentioned that “the main entry and exit points into the community is one major flash point where six accidents have occurred between June and December this year, and this is quite a worrying situation for us. All we ask of from authorities is that some mitigation measures should be put in place to address our concerns. We need basic things like traffic lights and road signs to communicate to drivers plying the route”

The Chairman of the Residents Association, Bagnaba Van-Gogh, together with some of his executives and members, noted that the Tema Development Corporation and the Kpone Katamanso District Assembly have failed in addressing their concerns, although they have on several occasions written to them to help address these challenges.

“We as an Association have drawn the attention of the Tema Development Corporation to certain lapses in the implementation of the acquisition of lands and its development and maintenance in the community but to no avail. We expect TDC to come to us and look at our concerns and help address them.”

“This is basically a well zoned out community, but in recent times there’s been some infringement which we require our land Lord being TDC to come and address because what we see now is some people converting their lands from residential to commercial properties which would create serious problems for us in future. ”

Mr. Van-Gogh said TDC must be up and doing and ensure it sticks by its own by-laws as well as ensure strict compliance by all, irrespective of one’s status.

Outlining some of the key challenges facing the community, Mr. Van-Gogh said ” the Association requires TDC to as a matter of urgency ensure fallow lands are developed with immediate effect since such lands pose security threats to residents. Last month, but for the alertness of some residents, we almost had a fire outbreak at one of the areas when someone set fire into a fallow land which had outgrown with weeds and this almost extended to a neighbour’s home.”

He said “We need KKDA to remove the road ramps and re-programme the traffic light at the TT brothers traffic light area, and the Kpone barrier area to ease the traffic situation on that stretch. TDC and KKDA must as well come out clear and loud to address our basic needs including the situation at our entry and exit points. The accidents are too many and can be avoided” He added

“We shall continue to raise issues on our basic needs until the problems are resolved.” Mr Van-Gogh concluded.

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By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Comm. 25 residents unhappy with TDC over poor security, traffic woes appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.