‘Use by-laws to enforce compliance in sanitation management’

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By
Eunice Hilda Ampomah, GNA

Accra, Jan. 23, GNA
– The newly sworn in Assembly and Unit Committee members have been asked to use
by-laws to enforce compliance in sanitation management and environmental health
standards to ensure a clean and healthy environment.

Making reference to
Section 12(3)(f) of the Local Government Act, 2016 (Act 936), Ambassador Dr
Mokowa Blay Adu-Gyamfi, a Presidential Advisor on HIV/AIDS, who read a speech
on behalf of the President, urged them to formulate by-laws to address issues
of waste management, licensing and monitoring environmental service providers.

This will also help
in solid waste collection and management and any other matters that demand
local regulations to achieve and maintain a clean environment.

Dr Adu-Gyamfi said
this on Thursday during the inauguration of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly
(AMA).

She said it was
necessary to explore avenues to create employment for the youth by taking
advantage of the agricultural sector to provide surplus food and agricultural
raw materials for industry and export.

The decentralisation
programme, she said, had devolved functions and powers of Central Government to
the district assemblies, hence, the need for unity, diligence, accountability
and responsiveness by the members to ensure effective delivery of their
mandate.

“Let me also
emphasise that good governance entails active participation of the citizens in
your Assembly to ensure the delivery of quality services, improved
infrastructure and good leadership,” she said.

“I wish all of you
well, and remind you that your people require of you the traits of
selflessness, devotion to duty, a very accountable stewardship, and, above all,
the ability to deliver efficient services to improve on their quality of life
and promote prosperity. I wish you a successful tenure in office.”  

One major challenge
was the unplanned and haphazard development currently going on in most
assemblies, Dr Adu-Gyamfi said.

Slums being
developed in marshy areas, and houses built on waterways, had become a
phenomenon with serious implications to national development and public safety.

“As you are sworn in
today, work with your Assemblies to ensure compliance with the building rules
and regulations on the zoning and development of lands, and ensure that lands
are developed according to approved plans and designated land use, to avoid
flooding and accompanying loss of lives and property,” she advised.

She also entreated
them to streamline and reduce the period for granting building permits to
potential developers, as it was critical to managing development control and
reducing cost of doing business.

Mr Mohammed Adjei
Sowah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly,
cautioned the newly sworn in Assembly members not to discharge their duties
with any partisan consideration.

“It is as if with
what is trickling into the Assembly, some of us want to change this place to
second Parliament. Indulging in partisan politics is not our mandate and the
Local Government Act says it all,” he said.

He advised them not
to shrink the confidence and trust people have in them by working hard to make
their lives better.

Nii Akwei Bonso III,
the Stool Secretary of the Ngleshie Alata (Jamestown) Traditional Area, who
spoke on behalf of the Traditional Authorities, urged the Assembly members to
liaise with the traditional authorities to implement every developmental plan.

“The Chief Executives
of the AMA will keep changing, but we the ‘Nii Mei and Naa Mei’ will continue
to exist, so you must give us that honour if you want to excel while delivering
your mandate,” he said.

The Assembly members
sworn into office include Frederick Asante Tawiah of Kaneshie, Alfred Asiedu
Agyei of Avenor, Theophilus Quaye of Chorkor, Nathaniel Osei of New Mamprobi,
and Peter Ayi Quaye of Korle-Klottey electoral areas.

GNA