NADMO Accelerates Demolition of 16 Unsafe Structures in Accra Following Deadly Avenor Building Collapse

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has intensified its crackdown on structurally compromised buildings in the Greater Accra Region, confirming that three out of 16 identified unsafe structures have already been demolished. This urgent safety initiative follows a tragic building collapse in Accra’s North Industrial Area three weeks ago, which claimed three lives and left several others injured. Dennis Nartey, the Greater Accra Regional Director of NADMO, emphasized that while progress is being made, the process of removing the remaining 13 structures is complicated by ongoing evacuations, legal hurdles, and the need for rigorous technical assessments to ensure public safety during the demolition process.

A primary point of concern remains an unstable building in Avenor, which stands adjacent to the site of the recent fatal collapse. Although NADMO initially planned to demolish the structure immediately after clearing debris, the action has been delayed pending final clearance from National Security. Experts have collected structural samples for integrity testing, and while the area is currently barricaded, local commercial activities have resumed nearby, raising fears of further casualties if the building fails before it can be professionally razed. Nartey noted that the case has been referred to the police as authorities navigate the legal requirements necessary to proceed with the demolition.

In Tema, the demolition efforts are focusing on the Kaiser Flats, which consist of six residential blocks that have long been flagged as high-risk. NADMO is working closely with the Tema Development Company (TDC) to facilitate the relocation of occupants currently residing in these hazardous blocks. Officials have set a two-week target to complete the evacuation process, after which the blocks will be brought down. This specific operation highlights the broader challenge facing the organization: balancing the immediate need for structural safety with the logistical and humanitarian complexities of displacing residents from long-standing housing units.

As the rainy season continues to pose risks to weak structures, NADMO has reiterated its commitment to clearing all 16 identified death traps across the capital. The organization is calling for stricter enforcement of building regulations and faster legal processing to allow for the preemptive removal of dangerous buildings. For now, the site in Avenor remains under security watch to prevent unauthorized access, while the public is urged to adhere to safety warnings and avoid areas marked as high-risk until all sanctioned demolitions are completed.