Residents in Wa Municipality on Saturday showed lukewarm attitude towards the National Sanitation Day with a low turn out to participate in the cleanup exercise.
The streets were empty with no activity despite radio and Information Service Department Cinema Vans announcement, sensitising residents about the Day.
The Wa Police and staff of Zoomlion, a sanitation management service were seen clearing choke gutters while residents were looking on.
The Municipal Chief Executive Mr Issahaku Nuhu Putiaha and the Regional Minister, Alhaji Amidu Sulemana’s presence did not encourage the onlookers to rescind their decision not to participate in the exercise.
At the Wa Central Market, where large numbers of Zoomlion Staff were busy cleaning choke gutters, some market women were seen transacting businesses and showed no concern.
Alhaji Abdulai Abdallah, Regional Manager of Zoomlion Company, said residents had left everything on the shoulders of his outfit.
He called for budgetary allocation by the district and municipal assemblies for activities of the Day.
Alhaji Abdallah suggested the enforcement of sanitation laws on the people to participate in the exercise as well as discourage them to stop littering at public places.
Mr Henry Bagah, Regional Environmental Officer called for the involvement of various associations and unions to support the exercise to help clean the municipality.
He said relying on the public without enforcement of sanitation laws would not encourage residents to participate in the exercise.
Mr Bagah lauded the efforts of the Wa Municipal and Nandom District Assemblies efforts of sustaining the monthly clean up exercise to rid the communities of garbage which serves as breeding grounds for cholera and other diseases.