KMA to close down shops or kiosks with untidy surroundings

Kumasi, April 22, GNA - The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has warned that it will close down or temporarily withdraw permits of kiosks whose owners persistently refuse to keep their immediate surroundings clean.

The assembly also reminded the public, especially landlords, traders, store and kiosk owners that it was their responsibility under the law to clear refuse, weeds and other filth generated within their immediate environment.

A press statement issued by the KMA in Kumasi on Thursday asked landlords, traders and kiosk owners to take immediate steps to fulfil this obligation to forestall any legal action against them.

The assembly, the statement said had set in motion an enforcement mechanism to ensure strict compliance to its byelaws through the application of the appropriate sanctions including fines, prosecution and the closure or barring of shops and stores of recalcitrant offenders where applicable.

It said the assembly had been compelled to adopt these drastic measures as a result of the blatant disregard for its sanitation byelaws, especially by landlords, traders, store and kiosk owners. The statement said for instance that even though it was the responsibility of landlords to maintain good sanitation within and around their properties up to the middle of adjoining roads under the "House Owners and Occupiers Byelaws of 1995", most of them did not comply.

The assembly, it said, had also noted with regret the rising tendency on the part of shop owners and traders operating in areas such as Adum and other areas in the central business district to throw litter, notably wrappers, papers and plastics into gutters and on streets in front of their stores at the close of work.

The assembly therefore directed its Environmental Health and Waste Management Departments to liaise with the sub-metros and the 24 town councils in the metropolis to ensure full compliance with the directive by the first week of May, 2004.

It said the assembly was, however, ready to dialogue and assist organised groups and associations including the various traders associations with the needed logistics to undertake clean-up exercises to ensure full compliance with the environmental byelaws of the city.