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No sympathy for people people who build on waterways
Berekum, Oct 18, Ghanadot/GNA- Mr Isaac Osei, Acting Brong
Ahafo Regional Director of the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), has called on the government and the National
Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to "critically
examine assistance to flood victims".
He said most people who loose their buildings to floods do
not have statutory permits to build in flood prone areas and
as such the victims do not deserve so much sympathy.
Mr Osei wandered why individuals would go to such length to
build in water ways knowing very well that it is wrong to do
so and that "people who throw caution to the wind, must be
ready to bear the consequences of their actions".
Mr Osei expressed the sentiments at this year's Regional
World Environment Day held in Berekum in the Brong Ahafo
region.
The theme for the occasion was "Rising temperatures, a cause
for environmental concern".
He appealed to the gathering to preserve the environment
from total destruction since it can never be replaced.
He said the time was ripe for all to reconsider certain
actions that has serious effects on the environment and
appealed to the chiefs and the assembly to enact byelaws
that would not only aim at protecting rivers and other water
bodies but also target the environment in general.
The Acting Regional Director said the Berekum District was
chosen for the function to enable the EPA to sensitise
residents of the immeasurable benefits derived from 'Asuo
Koraa' one of the endangered rivers in the region, which is
also a major source of water supply.
Mr. Osei said the "stream was gradually being encroached
upon from all angles", and cautioned that the consequences
of such acts could seriously affect water supply to the
district and its environs.
Mr. Osei urged those with farms along the banks to put an
end to the practice and rather plant trees in the area to
regenerate the forests around the river.
He said rare species of flora and fauna grow near river 'Asuo
Koraa' and that the area could be developed into a tourist
attraction.
The day was marked with a procession of school children
drawn from the district through the principal streets of the
town amidst brand band music with some holding placards,
saying 'stop polluting our environment', 'Clean environment
the legacy for our children', "clean environment healthy
people" among others.
The children assisted by their teachers and some staff of
the Zoomlion company later converged at the bank of the
river and planted over 500 different species of trees
provided by Newmont Gold Ghana Limited as its contribution
towards preserving the environment.
Mr. Kwabena Kyere Yeboah, District Chief Executive, in a
speech read on his behalf, said protecting the environment
was a shared responsibility and entreated residents to
consider tree planting as crucial, adding that
indiscriminate felling of trees and bush burning have
contributed to global warming.
GNA
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