President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has cut the sod for the construction of an integrated recycling and compost plant and water treatment plant at Assakae in the Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipality of the Western Region.
The Plant, which is being established by the Jospong Group and its partners, in collaboration with the government, is estimated to cost £60million and it is the biggest investment in the Municipality.
Cutting the sod on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, President Akufo-Addo said, “the Plant will receive, sort and process 400 tonnes of solid waste and treat some 1,000 cubic meters of wastewater, which will, in turn, serve up to two (2) million people in the municipality and the region.”
The construction of the plant is in line with the government’s policy to create an enabling environment for the private sector to partner it to bridge the infrastructure gap in sanitation.
President Akufo-Addo said the benefits to be accrued from the project include the effective and efficient management of municipal solid waste, the production of organic compost for horticultural and agronomical purposes, reduction in the high rate of plastic pollution and the processing of recyclable fractions of the total waste such as paper, plastic and metal for reuse.
“Equally important will be the provision of jobs for the youth of this community and its environs. Asakae can expect this Plant to bring in its accompanying benefits such as good roads, potable water and the extension of electricity, which will help improve the local economy,” he said.
As co-Chair of the Eminent Group of Advocates for the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, President Akufo-Addo noted that the intervention would help the country meet the Goals on clean water and sanitation (SDG 6); good health and wellbeing (SDG 3); decent work and economic growth (SDG 8); sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11); and climate action (SDG 13).
He urged all stakeholders to see to the timely completion of the projects and to ensure that construction is carried out according to the required standards and specifications.
Rex Mainoo Yeboah, ISD
