AMA introduces fee-paying solid waste collection system

Accra, June 4, GNA - The management of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a private waste management company, in collaboration with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), is to begin work on a fee-paying solid waste

collection system from June, 2010.

Managements of AMA and Adenta Municipal Assembly (AMA), as part of efforts to ensure cleanliness in the Metropolis, introduced the system un der which various Waste Management Companies have been assigned specific area s to operate. Out of the 11 Sub-Metropolitan areas within the Metropolis, manageme nt of Zoomlion has been assigned three areas; Ayawaso West, Ayawaso Central and Ablekuma Central, as well as two zones in Adenta Municipal Assembly to operate. Mr Lawrence Laryea, General Manager of Zoomlion, addressing a press

conference in Accra on Friday, explained that under the project about 5,0 00 waste bins would be distributed at no cost to households in deprived area s, through private service providers.

He said the project was initiated by AMA to give responsibility of refuse collection to private service providers to ensure maximum performance. Mr Laryea noted that the approved fees for service providers to coll ect the refuse would be GH¢14 from high class homes, Airport Residential Ar ea, GHc9.00 from middle income areas and GHc3.30 pesewas a month from low inc ome homes. He regretted that the current unsatisfactory state of affairs in the

Accra Metropolis, such as indiscriminate dumping of solid waste into drai ns, would be discouraged. Mr Laryea explained that the project would be supervised by AMA to ensure service providers discharged their duties to the satisfaction of clients and prosecute any households found using unauthorised containers in their homes. He said: "Since the company was established, management has not only

approached waste management issues professionally, but has equally focuse d on delivering quality waste management solutions that rely on current technical innovations".

Mr Laryea said management was determined to be at the forefront of Ghana's environmental service industry by introducing modern techniques a nd methods at competitive rates.

Zoomlion was incorporated in January 2006 in Ghana and commenced operations in May 2006. It currently has 10 regional offices and presence in all the 138 districts. It has so far employed about 9,000 youth with a core business of collecting solid and liquid waste, industrial, commercial, institutional and domestic waste. In addition, the company undertakes mechanised street and pavement sweeping and de-silting of drains, construction and management of refuse transfer stations, disinfestations and fumigation services.