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The Chief Executive Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije has warned residents of Sodom and Gomorrah to evacuate the area or risk being submerged into the Korle-Lagoon.

Mr. Vanderpuije gave the warning yesterday when he led the Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment to ascertain the level of demolition and danger the people are likely to encounter should there be heavy rains within the capital.

He noted that residents of Sodom and Gomorrah also known as Old Fadama are currently sitting on a time bomb after constructing concrete structures on sawdust, which was used to fill the Korle-Lagoon.

During the visit, it was discovered that one of the excavators being used for the demolition exercise has been buried under the sawdust upon which the unauthorized structures were constructed.
It was also noted that most of the heavy duty trucks, bulldozers and excavators got stuck due to the fragile nature of the land.

The AMA boss explained that residents of Sodom and Gomorrah were ignorant of the dangers surrounding their habitation, adding that about five inches of the ground layer have been covered with sawdust and sand but beneath it is the basin of the Korle-Lagoon.

He said, in the process of dredging the Korle-Lagoon, the people of Sodom and Gomorrah could be taken by surprise when it rains after the main blockade has been dredged.

Mr. Vanderpuije said regular reclaiming of the land from the Lagoon basin by dumping of sawdust and sand into the area has been the major cause of flooding in all parts of Accra, especially, the Central Business District.

He appealed to the Parliamentarians to help in the campaign and educate the people of Sodom and Gomorrah to avoid further disaster that might occur during the process of dredging of the Lagoon.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment, Dominic Azumah said that the media attacks on the Mayor did not reflect the true nature of the issues on the ground, adding that touring the area had given them a better understanding of the situation.

Mr. Azumah added that anybody who visits the area would also commend the AMA boss for the demolition exercise.

He noted that the visit to the site has cleared lots of doubts in their minds and urged the Mayor to move on with the demolition in the interest of Mother Ghana.

He further noted that the Committee would rally support in Parliament for the Mayor and the AMA having been sensitized and educated well enough on the situation.

Mr. Azumah appealed to the media to be circumspect and always acquaint themselves with situational reports before passing comments and being judgmental in discussions on Radio and Television programmes.