General News of Monday, 15 October 2001

Source: Chronicle

Moves to Check Illicit Dumping of Waste

The Chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Hon. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey has disclosed that stringent measures are being put in place to check illicit dumping of waste materials that has resulted in Perennial Flooding of Accra.

This he noted would help check indiscriminate littering going on in the city of Accra, despite litter bins deposited at vantage points by Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) for people to use, he said.

He revealed that people are not making good use of the litterbins and this is one of the major cause of flooding in the Accra Metropolis and the recent one claiming innocent lives and properties

He, therefore, acknowledged the US engineers, World Bank and Ghana Arm Forces for their support to the government after the flood in Accra.

This was said at the official opening of a Two Day Exhibition on the perennial flooding organised by AMA in conjunction with the Ministry of Local government and Rural Development where he was the guest speaker for the occasion Other participants are Ministry of Works and Housing and Ministry of Roads and Highways.

This exhibition is organised to address the perennial flooding in Accra.

On her part, the Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Hajia Alima Mahama revealed that the government is trying to alleviate the problem of flooding in Accra, adding that it is the obligation of her Ministry to ensure effective waste management in the metropolis, adding she said 24 secondary drainage system is under construction the major one being the reconstruction of the Odor drain.

She later urged AMA to establish an effective operation system to alleviate flood problems facing the metropolis.

According to Hon Seidu Sofo, the Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways he said his Ministry is ready to put its expertise at the doorsteps of AMA.

He also highlighted on the care town planners must take as far as roads constructions are concerned, adding that bad road plans can lead to flooding.

The Mayor of Accra Honourable Solomon Ofei Darko, on his part attributed flooding in Accra to the general indiscipline of developers and lack of maintenance of existing channels.

He said various long and short-term measures are under way to reduce future flooding among which is the ongoing exhibition.