Monday, 08 June

Unsafe four-storey Osu building pulled down over safety concerns

News
Building demolish in Osu

The National Disaster Management Organisation, in collaboration with the Ghana National Fire Service and the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly, has demolished a weakened multi-storey building in Osu after structural assessments deemed it unsafe for continued occupation.

Excavators moved onto the site on Monday, June 8, to pull down the structure, which authorities say posed a significant threat to residents, motorists, pedestrians and businesses operating in the vicinity.

The decision followed a partial collapse of the building on Sunday, an incident that sparked anxiety among residents and prompted an immediate response from emergency and municipal authorities.

Officials explained that the demolition was necessary to avert a possible catastrophe and prevent further structural failure.

The building, estimated to be more than five decades old, had previously suffered extensive damage. Originally constructed as a seven-storey structure, it had already been reduced to four storeys after three floors collapsed in an earlier incident.

Engineers subsequently recommended the complete removal of the remaining structure as a precautionary measure to safeguard lives and property.

The demolition comes at a time when concerns are mounting over the condition of ageing and structurally compromised buildings across the capital, particularly as persistent rains continue to expose weaknesses in vulnerable structures.

The latest development follows Sunday's tragic collapse of a three-storey building at Avenor in North Kaneshie, which claimed three lives and left several others injured.

Speaking to journalists during an inspection of the disaster scene, Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak disclosed that authorities have identified at least sixteen buildings across the Greater Accra Region that have been classified as structurally unsafe.

According to the Minister, assessments conducted by the National Disaster Management Organisation and other technical agencies revealed that the affected buildings pose serious risks to occupants and surrounding communities.

He indicated that plans are underway to demolish the identified structures in the coming days as part of efforts to prevent further loss of life and strengthen public safety.

Authorities are also urging property owners to cooperate with ongoing inspections and comply with safety directives as government intensifies measures to address the growing threat posed by deteriorating buildings across the region.

Source: Classfmonline.com/Zita Okwang