Dismissed workers petitions assembly

Wassa Akropong (W/R), May 9, GNA - Two workers of the Wassa Akropong Community Water and Sanitation Development Board who were dismissed about six months ago have petitioned the Wassa Amenfi East District Assembly, demanding payment of their outstanding monthly allowances and expenses totalling about 22 million cedis. The dismissed workers, Mr James Oscar Burroh, a Revenue and Accounts Officer and Mr Matthew Obeng, pipe fitter, also demanded an explanation for their dismissal by the Board.

The petition was copied to the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, the Regional Director of Community Water and Sanitation Agency, Chairman of the Amenfi East Water Committee and the Chairman of the Community Water and Sanitation Development Board. Mr Burroh and Mr Obeng alleged that they were forcibly ejected from a water pump station by the Police, led by Chief Inspector N. K. Agbi, in-charge of the district on the orders of the District Chief Executive, Mrs Doris Oduro.

The dismissed workers said they handed over water revenue totalling 45,710,000 cedis, savings book and other accounts books to the district assembly during their ejection. In an interview, Mrs Oduro said the community handed over the community's water system to the district assembly when it came into existence.

She said the community took the decision to dismiss the workers after failing to satisfactorily account for their stewardship at a meeting with them.

Mrs Oduro said during the meeting, the dismissed workers said they had received their remuneration and that the Police was brought in to compel them to hand over to the district assembly. She said the two left huge debts uncollected and the assembly had to source for money to keep the water system running. Mrs Oduro said she only made sure that the community's decision was implemented and that the district assembly did not employ the dismissed workers. They should, therefore, see whoever employed them for the solution to their problem, she added.