Ghana’s power transmission company, GRIDCo, has served notice to residents in Ashaiman, Adjei Kojo, Mempeasem, Dzorwulu and American House, in Greater Accra Region, who have occupied the right of way of its high voltage transmission lines to vacate with immediate effect.
In a statement issued Tuesday, GRIDCo said it will be carrying out a demolition exercise to rid the aforementioned areas of illegal occupants whose activities prevent access to the transmission towers.
The company believes the demolition exercise, when completed, would give its engineers and contractors unimpeded access to be able to carry out construction works to ensure adequate and quality power transmission to the Greater Accra Region and adjoining areas.
It said under the Transmission Line Protection Regulation, 1967 (LI542) as amended by Regulation No. LI 1737 of 2004, it is an offence for persons or institutions to conduct any form of activity in relation to the lands around the location of power transmission lines and towers in Ghana.
Operations including drilling, excavation works, lorry parks, shops, garages, bars and real estate undertaken in the areas extending for a distance of 15 meters on each side from the centre of the transmission towers for 161KV lines and 20 meters for 330KV lines are prohibited.
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These activities are said to pose danger to human life and property as transmission line faults can result in casualties and damage to properties.
It would be recalled that last year, GRIDCo carried out a similar exercise at American House and Ayigbe Town in Dzorwulu, rendering scores of people homeless.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com