Officials of Ejisu-Juaben Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti Region are searching for a private developer who is illegally working on water-logged land on the banks of River Oda.

Authorities fear the development of the vast stretch of land could expose nearby communities to potential floods.

Municipal Chief Executive, Afrifa Yamoah-Ponko, tells Nhyira Fm the assembly is liaising with police to immediately arrest the unidentified developer.

It is unclear what the developer intends to use the land for, but Nhyira News sources say clearing and filling at the site are done at night.

The stretch of land, with high- tension cables running overhead had been used for rice cultivation until the private developer started work there about a week ago.

Municipal Assembly officials have move in with a “stop work” order mounted on a sign post. Chief Executive, Afrifa Yamoah-Ponko, describes the action of the developer as surprising.

"The culprit has to be brought to book and the only way you can stop the person is to use the police; law enforcement agents to apprehend him or her” Mr. Yamoah-Ponko said.

He warns the developer will have to answer for flouting the assembly’s regulations with such impunity as he vows to implement the laws to the latter.

“The law is very explicit on some of these illegal activities so I am using the law to block all they intend doing and I will do everything possible within my powers to make sure that this doesn’t happen,” Mr. Yamoah-Ponko emphasized.

Meanwhile, residents have commended the assembly’s intervention.

Anita Owusu tells Nhyira News the effects of any potential floods would be very enormous on residents.

“I think it’s in order to stop that man from building or developing that land. You remember what happened in Accra where people lost their lives in flood? It is dangerous to allow such a thing to happen here,” she said.

“The assembly should not only stop him from doing so. They should investigate who did what and why. But kudos to them for that bold and immediate step”, a resident, Raymond Mensah added.