Accra, March 10, GNA - The Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Mr. Stanley Agyri-Blankson on Thursday met owners of companies and firms situated along the Odaw Canal and asked for assistance from them to dredge it.

He told the meeting that the government spent a huge sum of money to construct the canal to direct floodwaters as a measure to protect life and property of industries that share boundary with the canal. Mr Agiri-Blankson said the canal also serves as a receptacle for wastewater and other effluents from the industries and firms situated around the river.

He noted that as a result of the reckless and careless use of the canal by both industry and members of the public, a situation has arisen where the canal is being misused.

"Instead of the canal being used for the purpose of carrying waste and flood waters safely into the lagoon towards the sea, we are today witnessing a situation where the canal is being used as a dumping ground for waste.

"...The canal is gradually getting choked with refuse. This phenomenon, if not checked, will eventually lead, not only to an environmental hazard but flooding."

Mr Agyiri-Blankson said the AMA has started tackling the problem by undertaking to desilt the canal at a great cost. "It therefore behoves all property owners along the canal to explore the possibility of helping the assembly both materially and financially to dredge the canal."

Mr Agyiri-Blankson said with the rains about to start, this should be treated with urgency since the financial outlay is so huge that the AMA alone cannot bear it.