The Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) has begun an exercise to desilt major drains in the metropolis to avert potential floods during raining season. At a Town Hall Meeting held today, at Sekondi, Mayor for the STMA, Anthony Kobina Kurentsir Sam mentioned that the first phase of the exercise has begun to ensure the free flow of water when the rains set in.
He avers the exercise, when effectively undertaken, will address the perennial flooding and associated loss of lives and damage to properties that occur during the rainy season in the metropolis.
In respect of this, he adds, “the assembly in collaboration with the Waste Management Service providers have commenced the one dustbin per household policy to ensure proper collection and management of Waste within the metropolis.”
Mr. Sam appealed to residents to desist from indiscriminate and reckless disposal of waste in their various communities.
He lamented that the metropolis has been rated poorly in sanitation due to a rather deviant attitude of some residents who openly defecate along the beaches and other areas. Referencing the 2017 District League Table (DLT 2017) compiled by the Center for Democratic Development (CDD), Hon. K.K. Sam said no single community in the Metropolis has been certified as open defecation free.
Anthony K.K. Sam emphasized that some stringent measures are being taken to sanction persons who dispose of waste inappropriately.
“As a way of dealing with this unfortunate spectacle, the Environmental Health Unit of the STMA has commenced, and would intensify prosecution of perpetrators of this unacceptable practice at our beaches and other locations within the Metropolis”, he explained.
He warned “all residents who are involved in the act are hereby cautioned to desist from the practice or be prepared to face the full rigors of the law”.
Kojo Ennimil Arthur|Beachfmonline.com|Ghana
