AMA report shows solid waste contractors perform abysmally

A situation report on the performance of solid waste contractors in the Accra metropolis shows that contractors managing 13 sub-metros have performed largely “unsatisfactorily” in six areas.

Zoomlion, Liberty Waste, Mesk World and Platinum Ltd, all waste management companies contracted by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) failed to adequately carry out their mandates in six areas they were contracted to undertake.

Ablekuma South managed by Liberty Waste; Ablekuma Central managed by Zoomlion; Ashiedu Keteke by Mesk World; Ayawaso East by Platinum Ltd; part of Ablekuma South managed by Platinum and Okaikoi North also managed by Platinum were subjected to among other things delayed pickups of wastes, noncoverage of parts of the areas and nonparticipation in activities to clean up the sub-metros.

However, the report which used a weighting criteria to score the performance of the waste contractors revealed contractors such as Asadu Royal Waste, which manages the Ablekuma South sub-metro performed satisfactorily.

Speaking to Myjoyonline.com on the report, Director, Waste Management at the AMA, Samuel Kpodo, said the situation has improved from July.

He explained that the assessments on the performance of the waste management companies were done between January and June.

He said the contractors had been facing challenges such as non-availability of landfill sites in the metropolis, increased fuel prices and low waste collection.

But with the addition of two new landfill sites, and the increase of waste collection fees the situation has seen some improvement.

Mr Kpodo said although there have not been punitive measures meted out to waste management companies that performed below par, the AMA is resolved to embark on a series of actions to ensure that contractors deliver on the terms of the contract.

He revealed that some contractors have lost sub-metros under their jurisdiction to performing waste managers who have the capacity to perform.

The AMA has been compelled to embark on a fierce sanitation campaign following the outbreak of the cholera disease in Accra.

Cholera, which thrives in filthy conditions, has hit hardest in Accra over the past three months.

Latest figures show that 92 people have died from the disease while a total of 7,000 cases have been reported at health facilities.

  Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | George Nyavor | [email protected]