Josiah
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has commissioned two new refuse compactor trucks valued at approximately GH¢2.4 million to strengthen waste collection services and help tackle the city’s growing sanitation challenges.
The trucks were officially commissioned by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, during a ceremony held at the AMA headquarters in Accra.
The six-wheel-drive, rear-loading compactors each have a carrying capacity of about 20 cubic metres and can compress waste at a ratio of between 3:1 and 4:1. They are capable of carrying between 9,500 and 10,000 kilogrammes of waste and can be operated manually or through electric and wireless remote-control systems.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Ibrahim commended the Mayor of Accra, assembly members, management and staff of the AMA for improving service delivery despite inheriting significant financial and legal challenges. He noted that the Assembly had grappled with issues including garnishee orders, judgement debts, unpaid legal fees and numerous court cases, but had gradually restored financial stability and enhanced its capacity to undertake development projects.
While welcoming the acquisition, the Minister said the two trucks alone would not be sufficient to meet the sanitation demands of the capital. He encouraged the Assembly to work towards procuring at least five or six additional compactors to improve waste collection across the metropolis.
Mr Ibrahim stressed that effective sanitation required strong collaboration between central government, metropolitan assemblies and private waste management companies, adding that neither the public nor private sector could address the challenge independently. He also urged neighbouring municipal assemblies to invest in their own sanitation equipment instead of relying heavily on the AMA to manage waste generated within their jurisdictions.
He explained that the AMA bears a disproportionate sanitation burden because it oversees major commercial hubs such as Makola Market, where waste is generated not only by residents but also by traders, commuters and visitors from across Greater Accra and other parts of the country. He assured the Assembly of the Ministry’s continued support in recognition of its unique role in managing the nation’s capital.
The Minister further encouraged residents to report indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains, roads and other unauthorised locations through the AMA’s sanitation hotline, 0544 914 628, to enable authorities to take prompt enforcement action.
The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, thanked President John Dramani Mahama for providing financial support that enabled the Assembly to acquire the trucks and advance its sanitation and development agenda.
Mr Allotey revealed that the AMA did not own any refuse compactor trucks when he assumed office and had depended largely on rented equipment and private waste management contractors. He said the Assembly recognised that relying on rented equipment was unsustainable, prompting the decision to begin building its own fleet of sanitation vehicles.
He added that sanitation management should transcend administrative boundaries, emphasising that all metropolitan and municipal assemblies share a collective responsibility to keep Accra clean. The Mayor also acknowledged concerns over the maintenance of publicly owned equipment and disclosed that the AMA is establishing its own mechanical workshop to ensure the proper servicing and longevity of its sanitation fleet.
Source:Omanghana.com
