The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in Keta, in the Volta Region, issued a stern warning to the residents and the public to avoid building on waterways and waterlogged areas within the Municipality.
The organisation emphasised that constructing structures on waterways or in waterlogged zones was illegal and posed significant risks to lives and property.
Mr. Wonder Setsoafia Deynu, NADMO Director, Keta, during a routine visit to communities in the municipality, said that building on waterways obstructed the natural flow of water which contributed to flooding, destruction of properties, livelihoods and loss of lives.
“NADMO has observed with concern recent increasing practices of building on waterways and waterlogged areas, which poses a serious and significant threat to the community,” he said.
He explained that the organisation would take legal action against individuals who fail to comply with the directives and urged residents and other developers to cease all forms of unauthorised construction activities in vulnerable areas immediately and encouraged the residents voluntarily dismantle structures built on waterways without delay.

Mr. Deynu lamented how some individuals and developers have refused to comply with the commands and directives of the assembly but rather resorted to building on waterways, causing serious flooding situation in the municipality.
“Yes, this announcement has been made over and over but it seems some individuals wanted to take our works for granted, we are urging residents to report such activities and dismantle structures voluntarily,” he said
He said compliance with the directive was essential to prevent flooding and protect lives and property and the efforts by NADMO to educate the public on disaster risk reduction and promote preventive measures were vital in mitigating the impact of flooding in the area.
The NADMO Director also expressed worry about the ongoing secret illegal sand winning at night in at the shore of Keta which could have several negative effects such as coastal erosion and environmental degradation which could weakening the natural defense against sea flooding and destroy breeding grounds for marine life.
He said the illegal sand winning activities have posed a long-term risk to community infrastructure and livelihoods.
Mr. Deynu called on chiefs, heads of institutions, fishermen, assembly members, the media, and all community stakeholders to collectively collaborate with security services to stop illegal sand winning and protect the coastal environment which was crucial to prevent flooding.
He said the NADMO was the lead agency responsible for disaster management and was working tirelessly to promote preventive measures and educate the public on disaster risk reduction, which was crucial in efforts to saving lives and property.
He said the NADMO would continue to engage communities in preventing flooding and protecting lives and property initiatives and appealed to residents to take responsibility for their actions and comply with the directive to avoid building on waterways.
Some residents GNA spoke with expressed dissatisfaction about the recent secret sand winning at the shores at night and how some individuals and developers built on waterways.
They said the warning by NADMO to the public to avoid building on waterways and to stop illegal sand winning was a timely reminder of the risks associated with such activities and charged authorities to punish any culprit that would default the directives.