Sekondi, Nov. 19, GNA – Mr Abdul-Karim Hudu, the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly Environmental Health Officer, says the assembly plans to phase out Public Septic tank Latrines for Water Closet facilities.
The modern design, which is the ideal kind of place of “convenience and nature call” would have bathrooms, decent changing rooms for travellers in particular who may use the facilities.
Mr Hudu, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency to mark this year’s world toilet day, said the Assembly would achieve the dream of decent toilet facilities within the Metropolis through a Public-Private Partnership or Built Operate and Transfer model.
“What we are seeking to do is that individuals or entities with the financial muscle would sign an MOU with us and we present them with the design for building such modern places of convenience…we want the old septic tank Latrines to phase out completely.”
So far, the Assembly has summoned over 90 landlords for not having modern toilet facilities in their homes.
He said the magistrate court, which handled the case, had ordered that most of them build, take pictures and present to the court on a set date.
“Our intention is not to get them fined but to ensure that every household gets a place of convenience.”
On open defecation, he said the task force continued to record a minimal arrest, an indication that people were comporting themselves along the beaches, trenches and pathways within the Metropolis.
Mr Hudu said, “we are not stopping with education on open defecation…our community engagement programme is still ongoing.”
GNA