Close Down Abokobi Dump Site � EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has directed the Ga East Municipal Assembly to ensure the closure of the waste dump site at Pantang, near Abokobi. This is to address the health and environmental concerns the dump site has posed to residents at Pantang and its environs in the Ga East municipality. Position of the assembly But the Ga East Municipal Assembly thinks otherwise. The assembly explained that,the problems of the Pantang refuse dump site were not the making of only the Ga East Municipal Assembly. �The dump serves many other assemblies within the Accra metropolitan area namely, the AMA, Ga West Municipal Assembly, Ledzorkuku Krowor Municipal Assembly, the Adenta Municipal Assembly and the Ga Central Municipal Assembly among other assemblies,� it said. In an interview, the Municipal Chief Executive of the Ga East, Mr Kwao Sackey explained that �because of the number of assemblies dumping their refuse here it is very difficult for the dump to be closed when an alternative site is not ready for use.� Activities to mitigate effect He, however, promised that the assembly would continue to monitor and make sure that the managers of the site put in all remedial measures to mitigate the effect of the dump on residents. Activities to be undertaken at the dump, according to the MCE included regular compacting and covering of the dump; periodic spraying against flies and rodents; undertaking a 24-hour surveillance to help control fire at the site as well as meeting with scavengers to educate them on the need to stop setting fire on the dump and also meeting with the residents of the area. Meeting with scavengers To give meaning to the promise, the assembly yesterday met with the scavengers to discuss with them the need to prevent setting fire on the dump which normally caused excessive smoke that inconvenienced residents. He told the scavengers that because of the excessive smoke and stench emanating from the dump, the EPA had also added its voice to calls for the closure of the dump and further reminded them that if they did not safeguard the dump, it was not only the assembly that would suffer, �but you too will lose your daily bread�. Scavengers The scavengers denied setting fire on the dump, explaining that most of the fire was always in the refuse before it was brought to the site. They were grateful that the assembly was willing to liaise with them and appealed to the assembly to advise the drivers to always ensure that the refuse they brought to the site was without fire.