Tema, Nov. 23, GNA - Mr Robert Kempes Papa Nii Ofosuware, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) on Monday observed that the Assembly's partnership with the Media, was critical to the realisation of its aims and objectives.

"Through the Media, we will be able to galvanise public support for our development agenda, because publicity helps to build trust and goodwill between us (Assembly) and the public."

Mr Ofosuware made the observation when the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) organised an interactive session with newsmen in Tema explore the means by which journalists could publicise the work of the Assembly as far as its development efforts were concerned.

The MCE who used the occasion to launch the first phase of the Assembly's Town Hall Meetings, said as a first step, TMA together with its development partners, would soon organize a training programme on Sanitation Reporting for journalists in Tema under the Urban Environmental Sanitation Project. He lauded media practitioners in the Metropolis for their hard work and dedication to duty, and urged them not to be complacent, but to assist TMA to formulate and execute plans and programmes that would contribute to the overall development of Tema.

Mr Ofosuware said TMA like all other assemblies, was beset with numerous challenges, ranging from revenue mobilisation, sanitation and development issues.

He expressed dissatisfaction about the poor road network within the Metropolis, and disclosed that an inventory and condition survey of roads revealed that out of a total road network of 985 kilometres, 500 kilometres have been paved.

The MCE gave the assurance that the Assembly would do ever ything possible to improve roads within the Metropolis.

On Waste Management, Mr Ofosuware expressed regret that waste management could consume a large chunk of the Assembly's resources. He explained that an estimated 1,800 tonnes of garbage was collected in the Metropolis daily.

Mr Ofosuware urged the Media to help educate the public on the need to effect attitudinal change in maintaining clean and healthy environments. The TMA, he hinted, would introduce an inter-community cleanliness competition to encourage youth groups to actively take part in communal works.

Media practitioners present at the meeting expressed their gratitude to the TMA for the meeting, and pledged to assist the Assembly to push through, its programmes in a bid to develop the Metropolis. 23 Nov. 09