The Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly has cautioned residents against the building of structures without development and building permits from the Assembly.
Head of the Physical Planning Department of the Assembly, Mr Tijani Mumuni, said any person who carried out physical development without a permit committed an offense and was liable on summary conviction to a fine not less than five hundred penalty units and not more than one thousand penalty units.
Also, the person could face up to a term of imprisonment of not less than two years and not more than four years or both.
“Pursuant to section 117 sub-section 1 of the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925), a person shall not carry out physical development within the country unless the development is carried out in accordance with permit issued under this Act,” he said.
Mr Mumuni gave the caution on Tuesday during Public Financial Management Town Hall Meeting organised by the Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly in Accra.
The event allowed the leadership of the Assembly to render account to constituents as to how revenue was managed, outlined achievements and future projects, and created a platform for citizens to also voice out their grievances and suggestions.
Mr Mumuni said a development permit was written permission authorising a person to carry out development under conditions specified in the permit where a building permit allowed construction of buildings or structures to proceed on condition of compliance to building codes.
He said development and building permits promoted orderliness, the convenience of movement, public safety and enhanced economic development.
Also, they acted as a system of checks and balances that helped in creating safer projects.
Mr Mumuni said permits increased property value, thereby making it easier for the property to be insured or sold.
“It is financially sound to obtain a building permit as required by law - Your home or business building is your investment,” he added.
He said except for military and security installations or buildings designated for diplomatic missions such as Embassies, all other building activities required permits.
These include; making structural alteration (remodelling) or transformation (renovation) to a building, hoarding of property, planning permission-in-principle, change of use or rezoning, sub-division or consolidation and extension of time.
Others are; certificate of completion of habitation, temporary structure permit, regularization of existing structures, an extension of existing building and demolition permit.
The Municipal Planning Officer, Mr Kwasi Adarkwa, said amidst the economic crisis the Covid-19 pandemic had brought unto the nation, the Assembly still embarked on a renovation of the Assembly’s main office block at Laterbiokorshie- Phase One and Phase Two.
Hr said it also started the renovation of a 12-Unit Classroom for Assembly Administration offices at Salvation Cluster of Schools - Phase One at Larterbiokorshie, which is 60 per cent complete.
“We also commenced the reroofing, partitioning and conversion of a 12 Unit Classroom for Assembly Administration offices at Salvation Cluster of Schools- Phase Two at Larterbiokorshie which is 50 per cent completed,” he said.
Some other projects include the construction of a fence wall at Trinity Family Catholic School, Mataheko, construction of a dormitory at Kateco Senior High School (20 per cent completed), construction of a Unit Classroom block, office and washroom for a Kindergarten at Ayaa Ideen Islamic School, Sukura (75 per cent complete).
“The Assembly constructed a three-kilometre asphalt overlay of Agbogbloshie Road and provided U-drains at Shukura, Zamramaline and Zongo,” he said.
Latest Stories
-
I hope that we’ll find a miracle – Céline Dion details Stiff Person Syndrome diagnosis
10 mins -
Government’s silence on energy crisis demonstrates a lack of leadership – Agyemang-Duah
17 mins -
Philipa Baafi bounces back with ‘Eda Ho Pefee’
22 mins -
Amazon Web Services and AmaliTech collaborate to train more than 5,000 people in cloud computing in Ghana
39 mins -
Inflation to decline to 24.6% in April 2024 – Report
44 mins -
Dancehall Queen Aklerh thrills patrons at EP listening
48 mins -
Bond market: Total turnover upturned to GH¢1.14bn
57 mins -
Stanbic offers financial solutions to members of Ghana Medical Association
1 hour -
“Dmusor” has brought businesses to their knees – GNCCI expresses frustration at ongoing crisis
1 hour -
Ghana’s electricity access likely to increase as World Bank begins initiative
1 hour -
We need a comprehensive data on the culture and creative sector– GCF to Egyapa Mercer
1 hour -
Veil on asset declaration should be lifted – Osafo-Maafo
2 hours -
I have been paid with malt drink and meat pie after performing – Kofi Sarpong
2 hours -
Child mortality drops to 32% nationwide in 2024 – Patrick Kuma-Aboagye
2 hours -
Cedi to bounce back to appreciating trajectory soon – Fitch Solutions
2 hours