AMA is committed to its vision to bring development to the people

Accra, Jan. 7, GNA - Dr. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, Metropolitan Chief Executive of Accra on Thursday said the assembly was committed to the vision of bringing development to the doorsteps of the people.

He said construction of roads, drainages, monitoring the streets to prevent hawking, ensuring proper environmental standards and provision of requisite permits for all developments would ensure effective and efficient management of the metropolis.

Dr. Vanderpuije was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Thursday after inspecting some development projects in the metropolis.

Projects inspected included Kaneshie Okaikoi Metro Office, construction of drainage around the Jubilee House, drainage works at new Awudome, up-grading of the Nasia Road, construction of drains at Busanga lane, up-grading of Ablamamon street at Dansoman and construction works on Gliffard road at La.

Others are construction of drains including inlets from main tributaries of the Chemu Lagoon and an open unlined drain into the lagoon, up-grading of water supply system for Mamponse, which covers seven kilometres of water distribution ancillaries as well as 28 kilometres of U-Type drains along the roads and outlets to the lagoon.

The rest are construction of two concrete culverts at Mamprobi to Old Dansoman and environs, 10 solid waste containers including 15 cubic-metre size skips for Chorkor and three toilets for Karikari and Gbegbese schools.

Dr. Vanderpuije stressed the need to monitor on-going projects and ensure they were completed on time and quality work not compromised adding "development of the metropolis into a millennium city worth its salt is on course and nothing would stop that vision from coming into fruition".

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) last month launched its vision on the theme: "A New Accra for a Better Ghana" to make Accra a modern city with provision of all utilities daily, good environment and unlettered roads, effective drainage system, healthy private and public toilets, disciplined people, effective transportation, modern hospital meeting the challenges of the time and effective housing programme to meet the accommodation needs of the people.

Under the project, the Earth Institute of Columbia University would partner AMA to address some of the city's urban and environmental challenges and help residents achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The initiative is being directed by renowned development economist, Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, who would announce the declaration of Accra as a Millennium City on January 15, 2010.

Dr. Vanderpuije earlier visited the family of the late Dan Lartey at Kaneshie to express his condolences.

GNA