Exposed by the rains

By Kofi Akordor
From their contorted faces, one could easily read the agony of motorists as they meandered their way through potholes, trenches, ponds and mud after the heavy rains. Not that most of our roads are vehicle-worthy all-year round. Most of them have been death traps, in spite of numerous assurances by the authorities to put them in good shape.
After last year’s rains, there were promises to reconstruct what was left of the roads in Accra and other major towns in country. Tema, the country’s main port city, virtually had all its main roads unmotorable and it was a pity seeing motorists struggling to commute within what was once the pride of the nation.
Unfortunately, whether due to the proverbial lack of funds, bureaucracy or a combination of both, most of the roads remained in their deplorable state until this year’s rains set in and made a bad case worse.
This year’s problem has been compounded by the heavy rains which are unprecedented in recent times. The rains and the consequent floods have rendered most of the roads in Accra dangerous for vehicular traffic. So bad is the situation that before one leaves the house, one has to plot his/her movement, trying to choose between the lesser of two evils.
We know the problems but we are hard up when it comes to the solutions. We know that most of our roads are poorly constructed with shallow drains which get flooded at the slightest rain. We know our drains are choked with refuse and waste but we are unable to do anything about it. We know that a lot of unauthorised structures have sprung up all over the city but any attempt to rectify the situation is either heavily politicised or done half-heartedly.
Whichever way one looks at it, the city authorities cannot escape blame. Why should they allow most of these illegal structures to assume permanent homes before trying to demolish them? It is also an open secret that some unscrupulous workers of the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies and organs such as the Tema Development Corporation and the Town and Country Planning Department indulge in criminal activities and assist in the construction of some of these illegal structures.
Unfortunately, none of such officials has been made to face the law, a situation which create room for more of the illegalities. We are used to seeing “Stop work, produce permit” printed on buildings in Accra and other places. But work never stops but continues to completion, not because a permit has been produced or the building is not interfering with the original plan of the area.
The usual philosophy of “man must live” always holds sway and private interest becomes more paramount. A few individuals may go home richer, but when the rains comes it is the whole community that suffers.
Accra has become a huge flood-prone zone because over the years several residential areas have developed without proper layout and officers who should ensure that the right was done will tell you that they have been frustrated in their work by politicians and other powerful persons who should have known better.
This year, as in previous years, has witnessed expressions of concern and the pledge by officials to take steps to avert future floods and their devastating effects. But how long shall we continue with the annual ritual of wading through flood waters, saying words of comfort and sermonising on future plans to avoid such calamities?
All this should give way to lasting solutions.
The answer lies in enforcing building regulations. There is no excuse allowing buildings to reach the lintel level before inscribing useless notices of “Stop Work” on them.
The city authorities must be firm and bold and do the right thing, without fear or favour. Giving the law a human face, as is the norm now, will not help anyone in the long run. That can only be a diversionary measure to escape responsibility.
The rains have once again exposed our lack of planning, the level of indiscipline in the country and our inability to prepare for contingencies.
fokofi@yahoo.co.uk
kofiakordor.blogspot.com