Accra floods last week
Loading
2nd November, 2011
A TIMELY WARNING FROM THE AMA
THE Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) last Friday, alerted the public that the recent rains which caused flooding within the metropolis, could lead to a cholera outbreaks.
The assembly, therefore, cautioned the public against acts that could facilitate the outbreak of the disease, noting that the flooding was due largely to the indiscriminate dumping of waste materials into drains and also building in waterways.
According to the Metropolitan Co-ordinating Director, Sam Ayeh-Dartey, a recent survey conducted had revealed that most houses in the metropolis, did not have toilet facilities which had resulted in the indiscriminate defeacation into drains and open spaces.
Besides, most of the areas lack potable running water and even where the taps are running, there are leakages which have the potential of causing contamination.
It is, indeed, disturbing that in our present level of development, people still do not regard sound environmental practices as a way of safeguarding their lives.
The indiscriminate dumping of waste into open drains and water bodies, has become a regular feature of many communities in the metropolis and this goes to compound the environmental sanitation problems.
While we appeal to the metropolitan authorities to intensify their campaign towards sound environmental hygiene within Accra and its environs, we also appeal to residents to adopt good and healthy practices to avoid contracting communicable diseases such as cholera and malaria, bilharzia, among others.
While we are at it, we wish to express our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the floods. These deaths which have occurred as a result of people’s negative attitudes, could have been avoided if communities had taken into consideration sound environmental practices.
The Times would, therefore, wish to remind the nation about the need for prospective developers to consult the Town and Country Planning authorities for the necessary advice and permits before putting up structures, to avoid building in flood-prone areas.
While we count the losses from the devastating floods, we appeal to the government to make good its promise of releasing funds early enough to the AMA to construct storm- drains in areas noted for flooding in the city, so that we can minimize some of these natural calamities.
A stitch in time saves nine!
The assembly, therefore, cautioned the public against acts that could facilitate the outbreak of the disease, noting that the flooding was due largely to the indiscriminate dumping of waste materials into drains and also building in waterways.
According to the Metropolitan Co-ordinating Director, Sam Ayeh-Dartey, a recent survey conducted had revealed that most houses in the metropolis, did not have toilet facilities which had resulted in the indiscriminate defeacation into drains and open spaces.
Besides, most of the areas lack potable running water and even where the taps are running, there are leakages which have the potential of causing contamination.
It is, indeed, disturbing that in our present level of development, people still do not regard sound environmental practices as a way of safeguarding their lives.
The indiscriminate dumping of waste into open drains and water bodies, has become a regular feature of many communities in the metropolis and this goes to compound the environmental sanitation problems.
While we appeal to the metropolitan authorities to intensify their campaign towards sound environmental hygiene within Accra and its environs, we also appeal to residents to adopt good and healthy practices to avoid contracting communicable diseases such as cholera and malaria, bilharzia, among others.
While we are at it, we wish to express our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the floods. These deaths which have occurred as a result of people’s negative attitudes, could have been avoided if communities had taken into consideration sound environmental practices.
The Times would, therefore, wish to remind the nation about the need for prospective developers to consult the Town and Country Planning authorities for the necessary advice and permits before putting up structures, to avoid building in flood-prone areas.
While we count the losses from the devastating floods, we appeal to the government to make good its promise of releasing funds early enough to the AMA to construct storm- drains in areas noted for flooding in the city, so that we can minimize some of these natural calamities.
A stitch in time saves nine!
Popular stories from Editorials
