By Alex Boye
The Operations of Landguard Chiefs at Joma in the Weija-Gbawe Municipality, in the Greater Accra Region is to end, as government has announced to beef up security to seizedallLandguardsactivities in the area for the safety of the weija Dam.
Authorities have noted with concernon howLandguards have ignored the laws of the land and continue to illegally operate around the Dam which serves as the major source of water supply to the whole of Accra.
Landguards have over the years have been disturbing individuals who have acquired land within the community for development.
This, the authorities of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Forestry Commission have described the situation around the Weija Dam as criminal and are poised to arrest the situation in the shortest possible time.
One Moses Nsor and Isaac Ayi, based on an alleged information are those behind the activities have ensured that all the planted trees were uprooted for their individual benefits.
Further Information revealed that on the 11th day of July, 2020 some landguards, believed to have been sent by Mr. Nsor invaded the site at Joma, destroying properties worth several thousands of Ghana cedis and nearly took the life of NiiAyiMensah who had gone there to visit his farm.
It was also disclosed that the Former Minister for Works and Housing in the erstwhile Former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s regime, Mr. Kwamina Bartels, on May 25th 2001 held a meeting with stakeholders for the planting of trees on a distance 950 feet away from the Dam for its protection and beautification.
All these trees have been destroyed by the land guards
Speaking in an interview with this Paper, the Chief Basing Officer of the Ghana Water Company (GWCL), Dr. Ronald Abraham, on the sudden situation at the place, he angrily stood against the encroachment of the place and declared war on the unauthorized structures at Joma and other areas around the Weija Dam.
He indicated that the Chiefs and people of Joma were in 2001 compensated and should therefore leave the place for the safety of the Dam.
“We currently have 10 soldiers and 10 police officers protecting the area daily but have realized it is not helping us achieved our aim and have therefore joined hands with the National Security to beef up security at the place in protection of the Dam” he stated.
He disclosed that “for the safety of the Dam, authorities of GWCL and the Forestry Commission in 2001, handed over 58 acres of land to only one NiiAyi Mensah I, Dzaasetse of NiiBoiman to plant trees starting from 30 meter’s after the river boundary to do petty farming to help protect the plantation along the river”.
He called on all illegal residents at Joma and its surroundings to as a matter of urgency vacate the place within the next seven days.
