ASHAIMAN MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY CONSTRUCTS DRAINS (PAGE 18, NOV 2, 2010)

THE Ashaiman Municipal Assembly has intensified efforts to educate residents on the need to desist from the indiscriminate dumping of refuse to prevent flooding in the municipality
The assembly is also constructing drains in the various electoral areas to enhance the free flow of running water.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic after rains caused floods in some parts of Accra recently, the Public Relations Officer of the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly, Mr Kwasi Adu-Gyamfi, said although the municipality did not experience any floods during last rains, “the Assembly is determined to prevent loss of lives and properties, hence the need to collaborate with the residents to adopt habits that will eliminate the dumping of refuse into drains and gutters.”
He said under the programme, which involves the assembly members of the 11 electoral areas in the municipality, residents would dialogue on how to keep their surroundings clean, since the indiscriminate dumping of refuse constituted 90 per cent of the causes of flooding.
The programme will also tackle erection of structures on watercourses.
Mr Adu-Gyamfi announced that the assembly had authorised the task-force led by the Municipal Engineer, Mr Isaac Lamptey, to inspect and demolish unauthorised structures which were springing up along drains and prohibited areas.
He said according to recommendations by the security task-force which inspected flooded areas in the municipality after the June 20, 2010, down pour that caused floods in the area, a distance of 50 ft must be left on each side of storm drains and roads to prevent disasters in future.
A visit to Ashaiman Newtown where the Gbemi and Amatsuru rivers flooded their banks showed that the displaced residents had returned and were putting up in dilapidated structures.
Storm drains at Community 22 and Roman Down where the rivers flooded, because of garbage, have been cleared.
The PRO noted that the assembly had been given a tipper truck, pay loader and a caterpillar to be used to clear storm drains regularly.
He said before the assembly received this support, it hired some equipment and also tasked the Zoomlion to clear the gutters at a cost.
Mr Adu –Gyamfi stated that the assembly had funded a street light project in all the 11 electoral areas at a total cost of GH¢360,783.28, which is near completion, to improve security in the area.
He said the beneficiary areas were Market Square, Assenso, Mantseman, Niiman, Manmomo, Taboo, Tulaku, Obakatse and Tsinagber electoral areas.
Mr Adu-Gyamfi said the project was undertaken by three electrical contractors namely Matthew Electrical Works, Prefos Ltd and Alexis Brothers Electrical works under the supervision of personnel from the Works Department of the assembly and the assembly members.
He also indicated that work had started on the construction of the road networks from the Ashaiman central business area to Zenu, covering a distance of 4.8 kilometres, with funds from the government, while other roads in the municipality had been awarded on contract.
Mr Adu-Gyamfi appealed to the residents to help the assembly to build a positive image for Ashaiman to attract investments and tourists to help in developing the municipality.