By Bernice Bessey
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has handed over 158 acres of landfill sites in the Weija constituency of the Ga South Municipal Assembly.
The Weija constituency has been in focus over the past few years due to its health implications of 17 years use as a dump site.
The AMA, in collaboration with the World Bank Urban Environmental Sanitation Project-phase II (UESP-II) spent an amount of US$1.4 million to cap the dumping sites at Obologo, Mallam Main (NO. 1 &2) and Mallam SCC.
At a handing over ceremony over the weekend, the Chief Executive of WasteCare Consultant, Mr. Lukman Salifu, noted that an After-use and After-care Management (AfCaM) plan has been put in place to ensure effective operation and maintenance of the post-closure of the sites.
He indicated that the rehabilitation and closure of the sites were carried out as part of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Solid Waste Management component of the Government of Ghana/World Bank Urban Environmental Sanitation Projects.
Mr. Salifu disclosed that the plan would also cover additional works required to secure gas extraction at Oblogo No.1 and Mallam SCC, which were in the active stage of generating landfill gas.
He explained that the objective of the After-use and After-care Management would minimize the generation and uncontrolled emissions of leachate, to provide amenity areas for use by local residents and the general public, and provide long-term protection of human health and the environment among others.
Residents are now relieved because over 5,476,960 metric tones of refuse that were dumped at the four sites over 17 years had become attractive land that anyone would like to develop, the Accra Mayor, Dr. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije said.
He stated that the after-use of closed landfill sites would be for recreational purposes such as parks, golf courses or playing courts, open spaces or buffer zones, as well as industrial and commercial uses consisting of parking, storage areas or gas extraction and for agriculture purposes.
Dr Vandepuije added that the AMA would continue to support the Ga-South Municipal Assembly for the advancement and development of the Greater Accra Region.
The Mayor recalled instances when residents blocked roads in the area to prevent waste collection vehicles from dumping refuse at the sites. He warned the Assembly to ensure that residents desist from constructing residential apartments close to the site, since it will have negative consequences on their health, as well as their buildings.
The Municipal Chief Executive of the Ga South Municipal Assembly, Mr. OquayeThompson thanked the Mayor for the project and assured him that his Assembly will ensure the judicious use of the land.
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