By Emmanuel Gamson
Takoradi, June 6, GNA – Communities under the Takoradi Sub Metro Council of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) on Saturday undertook a general clean-up exercise as part of the National Sanitation Day.
Residents, shop owners, transport operators and business operators, among others within the area, participated in the exercise to promote a safe and cleaner environment for all.
They cleaned their frontages, swept across streets, weeded bushy areas and desilted choked gutters as part of efforts to reduce the risk of flooding during heavy downpours.
Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, during an inspection of the exercise raised concerns about the poor state of sanitation within the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis and said it was one of the major problems causing flooding in the city.
He said: “Everyone will agree with me that the flooding that happens here is caused by the level of filth that has choked the gutters, and then we turn around to blame the government.”
He encouraged the people to take responsibility of the sanitary conditions within their surroundings, desist from dumping refuse indiscriminately, and regularly clean their frontages to help end the issue of recurring flooding in the metropolis.
Mr Ibrahim also directed the city authorities to put in place stringent mechanisms and strictly enforce their sanitation bylaws to help rid the metropolis of filth and choked drains to ensure a healthy and safe living environment for the people of Sekondi-Takoradi.
“If there is a city like Sekondi-Takoradi and we are not able to do what is expected of us, and it floods upon the smallest rain, then the city authorities must sit up and do the needful,” he added.
Mr Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister, commended the residents who participated in the exercise, and encouraged others to also fully join the subsequent editions to be organised.
He reiterated the need for the leadership of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) to take charge of the sanitation situation in the metropolis to help curb incidents of flooding and related problems within the area.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Emmanuel Gamson