Accra, Jun 14, GNA-Private Waste Management Companies in Ghana have called for government assistance for effective waste management to protect the environment and the health and safety of the people.
Engineer lmmanuel Nartey-Tokoli, the Managing Director of Jekora Ventures Limited, who made the call, said the current economic crisis was greatly affecting their operations and that companies contracted by the Metropolitan and Municipal District Assemblies (MMDAs) needed the support just as the Government did for waste management companies contracted by the state.
Engineer Nartey-Tokoli, speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the country generated over 15,000 tonnes of solid waste daily, a quantity which was too much for one contractor, making the services of the private waste management companies crucial in augmenting the efforts of the Assemblies.
He said given the importance of effective waste management, it was highly important that the state gave it the priority it deserved for a healthy nation.
The Managing Director noted that despite the important role Jekora Ventures played in ensuring a clean environment for all, it was faced with challenges and the current economic situation had exacerbated their plight in the past few months.
Engineer Nartey-Tokoli explained that non-full cost recovery fees, long distances to landfill sites, special difficulties associated with efficient and 24/7 access to dumping sites, especially during the rainy season, expensive spare parts, delay in payment for services rendered, and cash flow inefficiency were some of the issues affecting waste management companies.
The rapidly deteriorating economic situation created by the recent hikes in fuel prices (over 80 per cent within a year), the fall of the cedi against the US Dollar (More than 30 per cent) and rising inflation is creating so many problems that if companies do not tread carefully, they would collapse, he stated.
He therefore called for the immediate review of the waste collection rate, adding that until the rates are reviewed the Government, acting through the MMDAs, should bridge the gap for the vulnerable in the industry, and incentives given across board for waste contractors.
He appealed to waste generators, including commercial clients, government ministries, departments, agencies, and domestic clients, owing the company to pay the company to enhance their operations.
Engineer Nartey-Tokoli advised that the state must also intensify the awareness creation role by educating the people, right from the kindergarten stage, for behavioral change, urging that Ghanaians need to always make the environment central in all their activities for good health.
GNA