Mr. Ebenezer Dadzie Pantsil, Head of Physical Planning Department of the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis, has revealed that a survey conducted by his outfit shows that about 36 per cent of buildings in the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolis Assembly have no building permits.

He indicated that 300 public and complex structures were visited in Sekondi, Takoradi, Essikado and Effia-Kwesimintsim.

He said the purpose of the survey was to identify public and complex buildings within STMA and also to address identified anomalies associated with them.

He cautioned estate developers not to flout the bye-laws of the Assembly. He said some of the challenges they during the survey included the absence of some owners of properties to answer field questions; the unavailability of documents to support field survey; unwillingness on the part of some property owners to respond to questionnaires and untimely supply of logistics and materials for the exercise.

Mr Pantsil advised the relevant authorities to conduct routine checks on buildings, engage qualified contractors to build for them as well as educate and sensitise building owners.