C/R: Family 'chases' Police for rent; wants personnel evicted

Eviction notice has been served on some personnel of the Ghana Police Service in Cape Coast in the Central Region for nonpayment of rent for many years, owners of the property have told Onua FM. The apartment, which was rented to the Police some 40 years ago, is currently in a deplorable state as the Police Service has failed to maintain it over the years. Spokesperson for the owners, Mr Abdullah Mustapha, told Onua FM that the 10-room apartment that is located at Abura, a suburb of Cape Coast, is in a sorry state and nearing collapse. A part of the building – four rooms- was demolished by contractors that constructed the road leading to the Cape Coast Regional Hospital but no compensation was paid to the owners. According to the spokesperson, the police Administration has persistently refused to settle the rent charges due them for years now, noting not even when they had written to Police and made several efforts. He recalled that in 2009 he and their late mother went to see retired Police officer Rose Bio-Atinga about the issue at the time that she was the regional commander. Though he claimed the then commander promised to visit the place and take up the matter, nothing concrete has since been done. ‘Paltry’ rent Mr. Mustapha said as far as he can remember, they have not received any rent from the Police for the past 10 years, noting the amount is even nothing to write home about. Rent for each room is GHC60 per room yearly. The spokesperson also claimed the rooms that were affected by the construction of the hospital road were converted to stores by some of the police personnel occupying the house and rented it out to others for shops. These, Mr. Mustapha said, were done without the consent of the owners of the property, noting some personnel who were occupying the house have been transferred, they rented out the said shops out before vacating the house. Dissatisfied with the behaviour of the Police, the owners now say they now want their apartment back, especially when family members who have interest in the building are putting pressure on them. Mr. Mustapha said the family members want the property so they can renovate it and share among themselves. When contacted, Central Regional Police Public Relations officer, ASP Irene Oppong   said the matter has not come to her attention but promised look into it. By Kwame Kakraba|Onua FM|3news.com]]>