The Manager in charge of Accra Zone and Domestic Waste of Zoomlion Ghana Limited Mr Robert Coleman has cautioned the general public, particularly those living along main streets to desist from throwing household waste unto the streets.
Mr. Coleman said such a behaviour which has become rampant since the inception of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s (AMA) fee and performance-based solid waste collection system was making the company’s work, especially public cleansing along major streets and ceremonial roads difficult.
“People should be aware that the AMA has now set up sanitation courts in all the 13 sub-metros and anyone caught flouting sanitation by-laws will be processed for court,” he said.
Various households without access to waste management services are now dumping on the streets hoping that Zoomlion tri-cycles riders will locate their waste and collect them on their behalf.
This state of affairs, according to the manager, has led to a situation where already swept places are quickly turned back to dumping ground with minor heaps of refuse by midday. As a result Zoomlion riders who could depart their various operational areas by 10:00 a.m., now have to work till late in the evening carrying heaps of household refuse.
In some instances, the company has to deploy additional waste collection vehicles to assist.
“Households must endeavour to register with designated service providers and do business with them as directed by the AMA,” he advised.
In a letter dated May 12, 2010 the AMA asked all waste contractors in Accra with effect from 31st May, 2010 to discontinue all existing solid waste collection services within the jurisdiction of the AMA to make way for the re-zoning programme.
The contractors were to “remove existing equipment such as refuse trucks, refuse containers, tools etc., at existing service areas and relocate them at new service areas on the deadline to ensure a smooth take-off.”
Zoomlion Ghana Limited which, hitherto, provided door-to-door services in all 11 sub-metros in Accra, were allocated three sub-metros comprising Ayawaso East and West, and Ablekuma Central sub metros.
The others comprising Okai Koi North and South , Ayawaso East, Ablekuma North and South, Osu Klottey and La have been outsourced to other waste management contractors.,
According to the AMA, households are to register with contractors under the new system or pay for dumping at the central container sites.
STORY: WILLIAM BEEKO & ATO KEELSON
