Board Director of Laboma Beach, Daniel M.K. Okpoti, said officials overseeing the demolition at Laboma had gone beyond the point agreed with affected businesses. He claimed that Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo, who visited the site on Sunday, September 13, had indicated the exercise was to end at a specific point, yet the demolition was extended to other structures.
"The Regional Minister was here, and she said the demolition was supposed to end at a particular point, but they have gone beyond that and demolished more structures," Okpoti told reporters during the removal of the popular Pink Flamingo Lounge and other buildings.
Okpoti also disputed the justification for the demolition, arguing that water from the Kpeshie Lagoon does not flow through the area where the affected structures are located. He highlighted that businesses operating there had made significant investments and created employment for more than 3,000 people who depend on the facility for their livelihoods.
"We are humans, and we have created employment for people. We have employed over 3,000 people who depend on this place for their source of income. We are very disappointed with what is happening," he said.
He appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and halt the demolition, urging authorities to consider upgrading the bridge or other infrastructure if flooding is the issue rather than removing the businesses. "The President must intervene and call the authorities to order. They know where the water passes. If the bridge needs to be upgraded, they should do that, but the water does not flow through this area," Okpoti added.
The Post Flood Mitigation Taskforce intensified efforts to clear developments identified as encroaching on the Kpeshie Lagoon’s protected buffer zone, but Okpoti argues the exercise has overstepped its mandate.
