Video: ‘This is madness’ – Angry Roads minister orders expats arrest over illegal construction of 22-storey building

Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr Kwasi Amoako-Atta, has caused the arrest of three foreigners for destroying state property and building without a permit.

The minister has also ordered the demolition of the 22-storey structure under construction at the airport residential area in the Greater Accra Region.

The three, who are in the custody of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) were supervising the project on the site that had its perimeter extended damaging portions of the asphalt road constructed by the government.

Mr Amoako-Atta, visited the area on Wednesday following reports from residents in the community that a Turkish investment firm has employed a developer who was operating illegally.

The residents bemoaned the removal of portions of the asphalt road and heavy construction which was having an adverse effect on residents and other buildings including structures in the Association International School (AIS) which had developed cracks.

“The contractor, all those working here must be arrested immediately. Look at this and you have destroyed the public road. In which country can this be allowed? In your own country, can anybody do this? It is madness,” the angry minister yelled at the foreigners after his team comprising of some police arrived at the scene.

“What kind of indiscipline is this and we sit in this country and allow this nonsense to go on. With impudence you [contractor] enter the road corridor, creating inconveniences to all those who use this stretch of the road,” he shouted.

He was emphatic that any individual in public office “who is involved in this matter, any official at any level who might have compromised his or her position, that person will also be dealt with”.