Residents of Sahara Odawna at Adabraka in Accra have called on city authorities to clear heaps of rubbish and silt left uncollected in the area.
Officials of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) as part of measures to prevent flooding in the area dredged an open drain known as the small Odaw and demolished structures closed to the drain.
However, the silt and waste from the drain have been left on the edges of the drain.
[contextly_sidebar id=”eJkgX5OUoiibX0lpDwmW8QsYHeqjipCG”]Speaking to Citi News, the residents expressed concern about the filth that has engulfed the area as a result of the sand which have been left uncollected.
Some of them say, since the exercise was conducted about two months ago, the AMA has not returned to collect the silt dredged from the gutter.
Even though the debris of the building has been collected, the silt has since been left unattended; a situation they say has affected recreational activities and sanitation in the area.
They worry the sand may be washed back into the drain when it rains again.
“We have a very big park here where we have all our activities and gatherings but since the exercise, we have not been able to use the park. The sand and waste from the gutter have made it inappropriate for use. We are ready to help the AMA to collect the sand once they come with their tracks and machines,” a resident said.
In an interview with the former assembly man for the area, Mr Hendrick Kinnah, the stench and waste from the sand has led to improper sanitary conditions and made living quite unbearable. He said even though the area is yet to decide on a new assembly man due to issues concerning the appointment, he remains the leader of the community who has been following up to get the issue resolved.
“I have spoken with the city authorities and all they told me was that there were not enough machines for the exercise. Those they had have been deployed for other use. Hence, they will come and collect the sand as soon as they get the machines.”
Meanwhile, Mr Kinnah is also collaborating with the Malaria control Board to disinfect the area to rid it of mosquitoes.
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By: Farida Shaibu/citifmonline.com/Ghana