NADMO to develop guidelines for builders

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and its stakeholders would soon come out with guidelines for builders to avert casualties due to poor building practices in the country.

The guidelines would focus on safety measures in the construction of light loaded structures such as residential houses, hospitals and schools.

Mr Philip Yaw Oduro Amoako, Director, Geological Technical Committee of NADMO announced this at a two-day workshop on the Draft Guidelines at Dodowa in Greater Accra Region on Wednesday.

Some of the issues discussed were building site selection, mixture of materials and masonry practices.

The draft was developed by Mr John Tettey, a Structural Engineer, Mr Mawuli Akoto, a Seismologist (earthquake expert) and Mr John Pinkrah, a Geotechnical Engineer.

The workshop was attended by engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, geotechnical engineers drawn from the Ghana Fire Service, Electricity Company of Ghana and Ghana Standards Board.

He explained that it would equip artisans, land developers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to incorporate disaster risk reduction in their projects.

Mr Amoako reiterated the need for a handbook that people could refer when putting up light loaded structures.

“People who consult the guidelines would know what to look out for when building in flood prone areas, earthquake prone areas as well as areas which are susceptible to strong winds,” he added.

Mr Amoako urged builders to endeavour to consult experts when deciding to put up structures for their advice and technical know–how.

He noted that after deliberations on the draft, the final copy would be submitted to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for implementation.

Source: GNA