Mankessim (C/R), May 16, GNA - The consultants engaged in the Tripartite Partnership Project (TPP) being implemented in Mankessim in the Central Region, have met stakeholders to discuss the baseline surveys conducted and the various roles they are expected to play.

The project which would provide the community with 200 household toilets, five public toilets and drainage system is being funded by African Water Facility through the African Development Bank. The project is being implemented by Training Research and Networking for Development (TREND). Nii Odei Laryea, Development Consultant of Maple Consult said the meeting was to address the challenges identified in the baseline survey.

He mentioned some of the challenges as inadequate household toilets in Mankessim, high cost of constructing toilets, unavailability of land for toilets, landlords converting toilets into living rooms and the politics in the management of toilets.

Mr Charles Berko of Bhekans Consulting Firm, said conditions prevailing at public toilets were appalling, adding that long queues were formed in the mornings and evenings while patronising such places of convenience had become a financial burden for large families. Mr Benedict Tuffuor, TREND Planning Officer called on the people not to politicise the project, stressing that development issues cut across the political divide. He advised cesspit drivers to deposit waste collected at the designated places.

Mr John Etuah, Mfantsiman Municipal Assembly Budget Analyst and TPP Desk Officer appealed to landlords not to regard the household toilets as personal property and allow their tenants to have access to them. He appealed to the assembly members to facilitate preparation of documents on the lands for the project. Similar projects are being piloted at Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region and Huni Valley in the Western Region.