New waste disposal facility for Tema Metropolis

Kpone, Jan. 20, GNA - A GH¢5.5 billion modern solid waste disposal facility is to be constructed at Kpone Landfill site to improve

upon waste management and disposal in the Tema Metropolis. The construction of the facility, which is expected to commence next month and completed within 18 months, would be

sponsored by the World Bank. Mr Justice Isaac Mintah, Civil Engineer of Municipal Development Collaborative Limited, contractors for the project announced

this at Kpone on Tuesday at a forum. Mr Mintah, who also represented Tahal Consulting Engineer Limited, said the project would replace the old landfill site, which

posed health hazards to residents and workers in Kpone. He said smoke from the old site was not only a nuisance to industries in the area, but also posed health risks to scavengers and

workers at the site who work unprotected. He added that while dumping of solid waste at the site was done haphazardly; refuse was also not covered in addition to the

contamination of underground water. The Civil Engineer indicated that the new facility when completed would have leachate-collection pipes, which would be directed

into manholes, treatment plant, before it would be discharged as a measure to check underground water contamination. In addition, the new site would have a gas collection facility into which harmful gases produced from the refuse would be

channeled and possibly used for other purposes. Mr Mintah noted that weigh bridges would be provided to weigh refuse trucks to ensure that the site was not misused adding

that discharge pits, drainage, offices and access roads were other facilities to be provided at the new site. He gave the assurance that the site would be covered daily in layers to prevent degradation of the land. Mr Kwaku Akportorsu, Tema Metropolitan Co-ordinating Director said, dumping of refuse at the old landfill site started as a way

of filling galleys created by contractors at the Tema Harbour. Mr Akportorsu stated that the site was, however, posing health risk to the people, as several tons of filth from Tema and its

environs were deposited at the place daily. He added that the re-construction would be beneficial to all residents in the Metropolis and would be environmentally friendly. The Coordinating Director said people engaged in stone quarrying at the old site would be compensated and resettled before the

commencement of the project.