The National Disaster Management Organisation's (NADMO) Central Region Office has begun clearing, pruning and felling hazardous trees along major roads in the Cape Coast Metropolis. This initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Department of Parks and Gardens, aims to mitigate road safety hazards and reduce the risk of accidents. The exercise was prompted by a directive from the Regional Disaster Management Committee (RDMC) following recurring road safety concerns and frequent vehicular accidents in the area.
Overgrown canopies, low-hanging branches and decaying trees along major road corridors have been obstructing motorists' views, concealing road signs and creating dangers at intersections, sharp bends and pedestrian crossings. The removal of these hazardous trees is expected to improve visibility for motorists and pedestrians, thereby reducing the risk of accidents. NADMO's efforts are geared towards proactive risk reduction, rather than reactive disaster management.
According to Mr David Owu, a NADMO official, the primary objective of this initiative is safety. By identifying and removing structural hazards before the onset of severe weather or further traffic incidents, NADMO aims to directly address a clear and persistent danger to motorists, commuters and pedestrians across the metropolis. He urged motorists, commercial drivers and pedestrians to exercise caution and cooperate with personnel working at the various sites.
Residents have expressed relief and happiness after the removal of hazardous trees near their homes and along the Second Ridge Road. They commended NADMO and the Department of Parks and Gardens for responding to their concerns and urged the authorities to extend the exercise to other areas where unstable trees continue to pose a threat. The exercise has reduced the risk of accidents and damage to property, according to some residents.
Mr Owu also encouraged residents to report unstable or hazardous trees along public rights-of-way to the appropriate NADMO offices for assessment. Alternatively, residents can reach the Central Region Public Affairs Directorate of NADMO through Mr Samuel Essel Duku, Regional Deputy Director, Public Relations, on 0246387732 or email: [email protected] or [email protected] for urgent attention.
The collaboration between NADMO and the Department of Parks and Gardens is part of a broader effort to enhance road safety in the Cape Coast Metropolis. By working together, these organisations aim to identify and mitigate potential hazards, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and protecting lives and property. The exercise is expected to continue in other areas where hazardous trees pose a threat to road users.
The clearing, pruning and felling of hazardous trees along major roads in the Cape Coast Metropolis is a significant step towards improving road safety and reducing the risk of accidents. NADMO's proactive approach to disaster management is expected to yield positive results, and residents are hopeful that the exercise will be extended to other areas where needed.
Key points
- NADMO and Department of Parks and Gardens collaborate to clear hazardous trees along Cape Coast roads.
- Exercise aims to reduce road crashes, improve visibility for motorists and pedestrians.
- Residents urged to report unstable or hazardous trees to NADMO offices for assessment.
