The Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) has been accused of undertaking a "politically motivated" demolition exercise at Lashibi near Tema. The Member of Parliament for Tema West, Irene Naa Torshie Addo, incensed by the exercise, says even though she will not condone indiscipline in the area, she believes there was a political motivation for the exercise. Dozens of houses were Tuesday morning pulled down at Lashibi by the TMA under a heavy security protection. However, the presence of the police cum military guards could not deter the agitated residents from engaging them in a brawl amidst firing of gunshots. They felt the exercise was unjustified because they claimed to possess the requisite permits for their buildings. “The boys were not scared of the guns, they were fighting the soldiers, problems, people were slapping the soldiers, the soldiers were beating them. We don’t need this,” the MP recounted. Madam Irene Naa Torshie Addo said since the area falls under her jurisdiction, it would have been fair to inform her before going ahead to demolish the buildings. “As a major stakeholder, the elected representative of the Tema West people, it is only fair that you call me and tell me this and this and for this reason they have o break it; we are breaking it.” She said the residents should have been well educated and sensitized ahead of the exercise. One of the worst affected by the demolition exercise is the NPP constituency chairman for Okai Koi North, Emmanuel Bonsu. His sachet water factory was completely destroyed. Mr Bonsu supported claims by the MP that the exercise was politically motivated, an assertion fiercely denied by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly. The assembly's public relations officer, Frank Asante said the decision was taken by TMA's General Assembly comprising assembly members, MCE and the MPs who are ex-officio members. He said the exercise was done in the interest of the community and insisted that enough public education was carried out before the houses were demolished. As to why the people who have been sensitized would resist the exercise, Mr Asante said as a human institution there are bound to be some "recalcitrants". He said the home owners encroached on a Ramsar site reserved for the ecosystem. Even though Joy FM's correspondent at the scene put the demolished buildings at around 100, Mr Asante said about 20 to 25 houses were destroyed. Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com