The Ghana Institute of Construction (GIOC) has called on Government to turn to professionals for a holistic solution to the perennial flooding in Ghana to mitigate the canker which has become an albatross hanging around our neck over the years. The Institute said the role of professionals in ameliorating the annual flooding disasters cannot be underestimated.
The organization indicated that flooding in Ghana has become a systemic nationwide problem with varied facets, which needs a holistic solution. Professor Joshua Ayarkwa, President of GIOC at a News Conference held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) on the recent floods and fire disaster in the nation’s capital, Accra, and other parts of the country revealed that a true solution lies in an in-depth assessment of the problem and not the present fire-fighting approach.
“We of the GIOC reiterate our commitment to working with other professional groups, governmental and non-governmental bodies to develop and maintain a safe environment in our nation”.
Prof. Ayarkwa, who is also Head of Building Technology Department and the immediate past Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Building Technology said that the fundamental key to yielding sustained results is to ensure strict enforcement of our laws on every facet of development and that enforcement should be seen in land acquisition, development controls, the acquisition and implementation of permits and waste management.
He said, GIOC as a professional body identifies with adopting a long term approach to solving this problem and long-term solution in a professionally approach to the well-known and well documented perennial problem of flooding in the major cities of Ghana, especially the capital city- Accra, around the months of June and July.
Prof Ayarkwa said the Institute is deeply concerned about the posture and rushed nature of many well-meaning groups and individuals in suggesting solutions to the problem and stressed that the solution to the national canker is not merely in launching Funds for victims, especially when “Flooding in Ghana is not only an Accra problem but a systemic nationwide problem, with varied facets which needs a holistic solution”.
The GIOC President noted that: “solid waste inhibiting the flow of water after massive down pour has continuously been cited as the major cause of flooding in Ghana and many developing countries. According to him, those who dispose solid waste in drains are those who are more vulnerable to the occurrence of flooding disasters in the face of poor waste management system and suggested that this practiced is stopped.
Prof Ayarkwa noted: “sadly, little or no efforts are being made to revive and construct more efficient waste management systems. The few known interventions have been unplanned, uncoordinated and lacking efficient integration to the existing systems”, he said, adding that “shortly after major de-silting of drains, they get choked again with solid refuse”.
Prof Ayarkwa, a former District Chief Executive for Ejura-Sekyedumasi District in Ashanti from August 2005- Jan. 2009 questioned the ability and willingness of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to enforce development controls regardless of who is involved pointing to the complaint of political and chieftaincy influence even though the majority of these assemblies have competent personnel, a situation Prof. Ayarkwa said is thwarting the efforts of MMDAs. .
Proffering solutions, he stressed on the need to reduce the human dimension of development permit application and decision making and adopt simple and swift process on development permit application. The construction expert said even though, the problems inherent in the flooding menace could be described as technical in nature, many of the solutions being proffered are without any scientific basis.
“It is regrettable that such suggestions are not based on any comprehensive assessment of the situation and the myriads of factors resulting in this development”, he said and noting that: “In a situation where over a year, applications have not been answered; improper sitting and flouting of the laws are going to be common place”.
GIOC stressed that the construction and effective waste management systems must be top on the developmental agenda of all the MMDAs, which he noted it should be undertaken by competent construction firms with the involvement of suitably qualified professionals.
This will inevitably curtail the choking of drains with solid waste that consequently contributes to the perennial flooding in the country. On the construction of building in water ways and springing up of fuel stations along highways Prof Ayarka asked why we waited for the structure to be put up before demolishing them.
“Who are those giving permits for the damming of water courses, for the construction of petrol and gas filling stations along the country’s highways, and in major cities? Are the structures built in such places engineered by professionals to avert its contribution to such disasters? Will the proposed immediate demolitions comprehensively solve the problem”, GIOC asked.
He noted that unfortunately in Ghana, the building environment is not regulated and thus witness all manner of persons who lack knowledge in laws and standards and yet profess to be builders and contribute to the construction of structures.
A certified construction professional will always offer proper advice to clients regarding buying of lands, designing in waterlogged and flood-prone areas that will have direct bearing on solving the flooding problems in our major cities, the GIOC suggested adding that every project must be implemented by identified and certified professionals to ensure effective regulation.
He indicated technocrats as being part of the problem of allowing filling stations to be sited on highways and unapproved places, saying they kowtow to what politicians say. On punishment for authorities who allow structures to be put up in water bodies and unauthorized places, Prof. Ayarkwa said the law speaks on that and it must be invoked on officials who are found culpable.
Prof Ayarkwa advised the Government to step in for the right and certified people to engage in the construction industry and stop the idea whereby anybody at all calls himself mason and contractor.
“People must be trained from accredited institutions thereby obtaining certificates for what they have studied as far as construction is concerned and be accredited before they can put up a structure”, the GIOC President said noting that building artisans, such as carpenters, plumbers, steel benders and others who are without certificates pose a great danger to construction industry”.
Prof. Joshua Ayarkwa, therefore, called on the government to regulate the building ind ustry by inviting qualified people to address the problems. He also urged Ghanaians to step up the habit of planting trees and grasses in our homes because weeds support the surface of the land and controls erosion while trees break down wind.
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