Bolgatnga Munucipality inundated by Metal Containers( Wednesday, October 10, 2012 Page 22)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga Bolgatanga Municipality is under siege. Metal Containers have sprung up on almost every available piece of land and there is no stopping. Almost all available space along major roads and open space is gradually being taken over by individual who with or without permit are planting metal containers for all manner of business including petty trading and the operations of drinking bars. Artisans are also not being left out in the act. Welders, carpenters, hairdressers, motor mechanics, vehicles repairers among others have found it convenient to plant these metal containers in all manners of places including residential area without obtaining permits from the city authorities. Even under electric pylons and high tension electric poles, these containers are being mounted without reflecting the harm that may be should one of these live wires snap and drop on these containers. The invasion of these metal containers, my fear is when not check could gradually turn the Bolgatanga Municipality into one huge unplanned city in a few years to come. While owners of these containers said they are using these facilities to create additional source for finance to supplement incomes and also irk out a living, many others also think some of activities emanating from these containers are a nuisance. Some residents in residential areas cited excessive noisemaking from drinking bars operating from these containers as major nuisance. They said it was time the Municipal Assembly halted the haphazard erection of container shops to curb the persistent noise making in the municipality especially residential areas. 62-year-old, Retired Educationist, Benjamin Nsobilah said some drinking spots located in his residential area have mounted loud speakers that makes so much noise which disturb people in the neighbourhood. He has therefore appealed to Municipal Assembly to halt disturbances to give resident a peace of mind and even regulate how and where such containers are mounted. He said rather than allowing such containers to be place just everywhere and anywhere, it should be possible for the assembly to properly demarcate places in the municipality where such facilities should be located. Another resident, Mr. Vincent Asare bemoaned the erection of these metal containers, especially those being operated as drinking bars closed to a major truck road such as the Bolgatanga-Navrongo-Page Highway stressing that any veering off of vehicles from the road could be fatal. In an interview with the Convenor of the Social Services Committee of the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly, Mr. Fred Apana, he conceded that the unsightly citing of metal containers pose a major challenge to the assembly. It however blamed the situation on some landlords and landowners some of whom he said allocate space to the individuals after collecting monies from them. “My brothers, some of the land lords and landowners m are making money and they see it as a business”, he said. Citing an example from his own electoral area, Atulbabisi, Mr. Apana said most of the containers planted there have no permits and anytime he enquired from the owners of such metal containers, the simple answer is “it is the land owners who gave it to me” He said his personnel wish was for the removal of some of these containers who do not have permits but on the other hand, most people are of the opinion that as an assembly, they should have a human face because that is where the owners get their livelihoods. He however said the assembly has put in place a development control committee whose task among others is to check some of the disorderly citing of containers. “ I am hopefully most of these containers will be removed because most of them apart from blocking the view of drivers and posing a danger to driving others are cited in waterways. He said the recent flush floods experienced in the municipality, which caused destruction to properties, it was imperative that the necessary action is taken to bring order to the municipality. End