Some traders at the Tema Central Market have closed their shops as a result of the continuous spillage of human excreta from one of the damaged lines at the market.

The traders and food vendors, especially those close to the line, have argued that the development could result in an outbreak of diseases such as cholera.

Many shops owners have no choice than to close their shops while those who live in the vicinity try to avoid the stench.

Some angry traders accused the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) of failing to resolve the problem at the market which is negatively affecting their lives.

A visit to the market by Daily Guide revealed that one of the lines had broken down at the market.

Edward Mba, Tema Metropolitan Waste Management Department Head, noted that they were facing challenges in addressing the situation, but was quick to add that they may hire some private equipment temporarily to solve the problem.

According to him, TMA is also facing financial constraints in redesigning a new sewage system for the Tema metropolis.

He explained that the Assembly is considering private partnership. The problem with the sewage system in Tema comes in two folds; one is attitudinal or human factor and the other has to do with the lifespan of the facility, he indicated.

He noted that they would require massive injection of capital to renew the system. The head of waste management said: “People dump all manner of items into the sewer. We removed sponges, textiles, clothes, sand and plastic polythene from the sewer.”