Sekondi, Sept. 4 -GNA- Mr. Philip K. Nkrumah, Chief Executive of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis has reminded residents and landlords, within the metropolis to provide places of convenience in all homes. He said lack of latrines in many homes, has lead to the use of unapproved areas as places of convenience by inhabitants. Mr. Nkrumah said these at a photo exhibition to mark the International Year of Sanitation at Sekondi.
He said it was sad that many people in their quest to occupy their partially completed homes, ignored to provide latrines while many owners of old buildings within the metropolis, have not made alternative arrangements for the occupants after the pan latrine was phased out. Mr. Nkrumah said the few public places of convenience provided by the various assemblies were to meant for travellers and visitors but it was unfortunate that residents had rather taken over their use. He said many buildings within the STMA area were likely to be demolished if the law were to be strictly applied. Mr. Nkrumah said to prevent this, a series of education programmes were presently ongoing to sensitise the landlords and owners on the importance of providing latrines.
He said under the Urban Environmental Sanitation Programme (UESP) two, the assembly achieved its target by providing 2,500 domestic latrines within the STMA.
Mr. Nkrumah said under the project which was sponsored by the World Bank, the assembly provided 50 percent of the total cost of construction as grant, while the beneficiaries also provided the remaining 50. He said very soon, the focus would be on the construction of school, lorry park and market latrines.
Mr. Nkrumah stressed that the provision of household latrines was mandatory for everyone and should not be ignored by any developer. Madam Irene Mensah, Coordinator of the exhibition said the country's sanitation coverage stood at 10 percent as at the end of 2006. She said the country must improve its sanitation record in conformity with the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
