EPA takes on AMA

The environmental Protection agency (EPA) has given the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) a month's ultimatum to properly manage the waste dumpsite at Mallam in Accra, or face prosecution.

AMA has also been directed, among other things, to check chemical waste running down the slopes into homes, prevent exposure by progressive capping and check nuisance related to littering, odour and pest which have been posing serious threats to public health.

The ultimatum is the result of AMA's failure to respond to several notices from the EPA. A letter to the Chief Executive of AMA and the Head of the Waste Management Department said that it had become obvious to the EPA that persistent notices given to the AMA to take steps to properly manage the waste dump at Mallam had gone unheeded.

The letter, issued by EPA's Senior Prosecuting Officer, Mrs Margaret Ahiadeke, said "Notice is hereby given that if you do not comply with this notice within 30 days, effective from June 15, 2001, the EPA will bring a suit against your organization, AMA, for an order of mandatory injunction to compel your Assembly to comply."

Mrs. Ahiadeke told the "Times' in a follow up interview that the EPA was determined to "deal with all defaulting organizations and individuals in the country." According to her, legal charges would be leveled against all organizations, which would fail to comply with their directives.