TMA TO DREDGE CHEMU LAGOON (PAGE 29, APRIL 13, 2010)

The Tema Municipal Assembly has inaugurated a nine-member committee to mobilise human and financial resources to dredge the Chemu Lagoon, which flows into the sea at the Tema Fishing Harbour, to forestall the perennial flooding of the choked lagoon.
The committee has a six-month mandate to complete its work of mobilising resources for the restoration programme.
The nine-member committee has Mr Enoch Mensah of the Tema Manhean Sub-Metro as its Chairman, Mr Seth Koranteng representing the Association of Industries, Mr Xola Ahadzi of the UESP11 and a representative from the Environmental Protection Agency. The other members are Nii Adjetey Din, Mr Sampson Aheto, Mr Peter Amuzu, Mr Frank Asante and Mr John Odonkor, the Metro Engineer, as Secretary to the committee.
The lagoon was initially used by the people of Manhean for their fishing activities, but it gradually became polluted and muddy with waste dumped into it when squatters emerged and settled along its banks, while some industries pumped their waste products into it.
Now, the lagoon is choked and a horrible stench emanates from it as the squatters continue to pollute it.
The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, who inaugurated the committee, observed that the Chemu Lagoon had lost its aquatic life and could be referred as a dead water body.
He noted that restoration of the lagoon required a huge financial outlay which the assembly could not provide, and, therefore, called for support from the government.
He said the problem of flooding had reached its peak, noting that during heavy downpour, life and properties of some national strategic installations, including that of the Tema Oil Refinery, got flooded.
Mr Ofosuware urged the committee to ensure that streams and storm drains along the Chemu lagoon were cleared of silt to avert flooding, while looking for sources of funding to restore the lagoon.
He reiterated that though the lagoon was of economic importance to the people of Tema Manhean, its unfolding events posed a great danger to life and property.
Mr Ofosuware urged the committee to work hard and come up with good results to save the water body.
The committee chairman gave the assurance that members would work fast to acquire the needed support to restore the Chemu Lagoon and appealed for assistance from individuals and organisations to support the programme.