Residents in the Tema Metropolis are bemoaning of the unending challenge with the disposal of faecal waste as a result of the neglected broken downpipes and treatment plants.
A recent news report covered by Citi TV showed how some vicinities within Tema had untreated greywater and faecal matter are discharged into open-air channels and emptied into the sea.
Responding to the situation, the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) says it will require some US$ 60 million in order to replace the broken sewages in areas under its jurisdiction.
Director of Metropolitan Waste Management in Tma, Mr Derrick Tata-Anku, blamed the situation on the over 60-year old sewage and the increasing population in the metropolis. He also indicated that if the money is procured, it will help the Assembly tackle leakages from weak pipes.
“The facility has been in existence for over 60 years. All we are seeking to do is to enable it to continue to run. But the bottom line is that it requires total rehabilitation and expansion to replace the components. But we have done so much by even inviting investors,” he said on the Citi Breakfast Show.
Despite the issue of old sewages and weak pipes, more chambers have been choked for years, partly due to the activities of residents who flush out foreign materials like sanitary pads, T-shirts, plastic waste among others.
While, trucks can extract the content of choked chambers, the activities of squatters who encroach sewage lines, make such an alternative impossible.
Residents say faecal matter from neighbouring homes have choked their homes, while those in flats say they have had to live with the unbearable stench of their own excreta due to the collapse of the sewer system.
Mr. Tata-Anku told host of the Citi Breakfast Show, Bernard Avle that the financial investments required for a complete overhaul are beyond the finances of the Assembly.
“[Residents of] Tema have put a lot of pressure on the facility. It was designed for about 20,000 to 40,000 people 60 ago and there has been no expansion on it. Now Tema has a population of 360,000 but we are still depending on the same system. The assembly has tried to work with other partners and has to do a total rehabilitation of the system. But the financial aspect is beyond TMA’s handling. When we are looking at a project of over US$ 60 million, what revenue can we raise to do that? It’s huge money. So we really need an intervention.”
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I’m Deborah Aba Narkoah. I’m an avid reader, writer and public speaker.
