By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo
Tema, Aug. 13, GNA — Nii Amarh Soumponu II, the Tema Stool Secretary and Shipi (Military Commander), has called on the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) and the TDC Company Limited (TDC) to resolve their differences peacefully and within the confines of the law.
Nii Soumponu made the call following a clash between TDC and TMA on the construction of the infilling project at Community One Site Three.
The Tema Stool Secretary and Shipi gave the advice during an engagement by the TMA with the residents of Site Three over the issue.
He said a peaceful and amicable resolution was particularly important as the traditional area prepared to commence its Homowo festival, which required an atmosphere of peace, calm and serenity.
Nii Soumponu said although the Traditional Council was not fully abreast of the issues between the two institutions, it expected all parties to respect the country’s constitutional and legal framework in resolving their differences.
The TMA has directed the TDC to halt the project, citing alleged breaches of planning and development regulations, while the TDC says the project had gone through approval and procurement processes involving relevant state institutions.
Madam Ebi Bright, the Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, said the Assembly’s intervention followed complaints from residents of Sites Three and Eight over the felling of trees, demolition of structures, appropriation of playgrounds and green belts and obstruction of access.
She said the Assembly had asked the developers to stop work to allow for proper engagement with residents and relevant authorities, stressing that the development should go through the appropriate planning, consultation, rezoning and permitting processes.
Mr Courage Nunekpeku, the TDC Managing Director, however, said the project had gone through approval and procurement processes involving the Ministry of Finance, the Public Procurement Authority, the Ministry of Works and Housing, and the Ministry of Water Resources.
He alleged that the MCE led a team to the site on August 12, before the expiration of a seven-day compliance period given in a letter from the assembly dated August 7, resulting in the destruction of some work undertaken by the contractor.
Against that background, the traditional council urged the two institutions to engage constructively to resolve their differences.
Nii Soumponu said the council did not support lawlessness and expressed concern about the extent of the matter, particularly the reported involvement of soldiers on the said site.
He stressed that the council was yet to establish the circumstances surrounding the development but said all actions must remain within the law.
He noted that TMA and TDC should be able to engage and straighten a rough edge if there were disagreements between them rather than allowing the situation to escalate.
He said Ghana operated under a constitutional system, and therefore all actions by institutions and individuals must be guided by the law.
“We shall oppose any lawlessness. We are in a constitutional government,” he stressed.
Nii Shipî also emphasised the importance of protecting the traditional identity and authority of the Tema people, noting that although the people had lost some of their lands to government, they had not lost their sovereignty.
He therefore urged all parties to exercise restraint and ensure that their actions remained within the law.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Reporter’s email address: [email protected]