The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) is leaving no stone unturned in dealing with open defecation in certain parts of the area.
The assembly has therefore formed a taskforce to deal with open defecation, littering and indiscriminate dumping of refuse to ensure healthy environment.
So far, about 29 culprits, who engaged in open defecation, have been arrested.
Out of the number, nine were taken to court and fined GH¢280.00 each and the rest were made to pay a spot fine of GH¢200.00 each which went into the assembly’s coffers.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive for STMA, Anthony K.K Sam, disclosed this at the 2nd Ordinary Meeting of the 2nd Session of the 8th Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly held yesterday.
He revealed that another major environmental problem confronting the assembly was excessive noise making, adding that itinerant preachers and churches were the worst culprits.
He said the assembly would do everything possible to reduce noise-making to the barest minimum.
Security
He pointed out that the security situation in the metropolis was generally good and that streetlights in most parts of the city had been fixed, adding that the whole metropolis would be illuminated very soon.
He indicated that the assembly had engaged a military officer to help enhance the performance of the Metropolitan Guards and that the move had yielded positive results.
On the issue of waste management in the metropolis, Mr Sam noted that the assembly desilted most of the major drains in the metropolis to prevent serious flooding during the raining season.
Revenue Performance
The MCE for the STMA added that the assembly had engaged the services of some companies to boost revenue mobilization for the STMA.
He disclosed that at the beginning of the year, the STMA set a target of GH¢7,975,116.00 and that by the end of July this year, the assembly had collected GH¢4,785,395.75, representing 60 percent of the target for the year.
“For the next financial year, a lot of attention will be focused on increasing revenues from the assembly’s stores and stalls. Efforts will also be put in place to ensure that businesses and properties that are not in the data of STMA are captured,” he noted.
On the government’s free Senior High School (SHS) policy, the Sekondi-Takoradi Mayor told the assembly members that the NPP government would not tolerate any individual or group of persons who attempt to impede the implementation of its flagship policy.
Agriculture
The MCE revealed that the assembly had received a total of 240 bags of fertilizer and 4,900 grammes of pepper for onward distribution to farmers under the Planting for Foods and Jobs policy.
“110 bags of fertilizer and 2,800 grammes of pepper have so far been distributed to the beneficiary farmers. The Youth Employment Agency has also recruited five extension assistants to assist in the implementation of the programme,” he disclosed.
Under the government’s Fertilizer Subsidy Programme, K.K Sam indicated that the metropolis has so far registered 97 farmers made up of 75 males and 22 females, and given them passbooks to enable them benefit from the programme.
Roads
The MCE told the assembly members that the Department of Urban Roads had been grading and reshaping the Diabene-Agric; Mapees, Mt Zion area and Mampong-KNUST roads since May 2017.
He also indicated that tenders for the grading, pothole patching and resealing of selected roads in the metropolis were received on August 2, 2017.
“The evaluation report has been completed and sent for approval and these projects will be awarded soon,” he added.
Job Creation
Touching on job creation, the MCE remarked “I am delighted to pronounce that in the next couple of months, we shall witness the resuscitation of West African Mills Limited (WAMCO) and this will surely create jobs for our teeming youth.”
He continued “The Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) is going to build offices in the metropolis, and this will unquestionably create some job opportunities. As the days and months go by, more job openings will become available.”
Presiding Member
The Presiding Member for STMA, John Davies, appealed to the assembly to take the appropriate steps to increase the salaries of the labourers of the assembly to help improve their living conditions and enhance their performance.
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