By P.K. Yankey
Sanzule (W/R), Oct. 17, GNA -The Government has relaunched the Eco-Brigade Initiative, otherwise known as ZOIL, to ensure sanitation along coastal communities in the Ellembelle District.
The initiative, first introduced by the late President John Evans Atta Mills’ government, fizzled out after most of the workers were paid allowances without going to work.
The initiative is a joint collaboration between the Ellembelle District Assembly and the Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) Limited, which is funding it.
The 250 workers, 90 per cent of whom are women, received logistics and materials such as wheelbarrows, brooms, Wellington boots, shovels, rakes and life jackets, to start cleaning beaches in various communities.
Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle, said the initiative would ensure the sustainability of marine ecosystems.
He charged the workers to be advocates for clean beaches and ensure the beaches remained neat.
Mr Buah, who is also the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, reminded the workers that those who would not work would not receive their allowances as happened previously.
He reminded management of Ghana Gas that as the host community prone to any unforeseen danger, Ellembelle must benefit immensely from the activities of the Company.
Madam Judith Adjoba Blay, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GNGC Limited, said the initiative formed part of a broader vision to ensure a healthy and clean environment and a thriving community.
She said the main objective was to empower women as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility.
Madam Blay noted that people within the enclave of the Ghana Gas Processing Plant must benefit from the project.
She pledged to extend the initiative to other Districts in due course.
Mr Joseph Armah Agyekum, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ellembelle, thanked Ghana Gas for the partnership to clean the beaches.
He charged the employees to be vanguards against sand-winning and open defecation along the beaches.
Awulae Tufuhene Bazil Kpole, the Head of the Ndweafo family at Atuabo, on behalf of Awulae Blay IX, Paramount Chief of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Area, thanked the government leaders in Nzema for their good developmental initiatives.
He observed that the ZOIL initiative would improve upon the healthcare of the people and asked the workers to work hard.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/ Christabel Addo
Reporter: P.K. Yankey