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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday cut sod for construction works to begin on an integrated recycling and compost plant at Fiaso, a farming community in the Techiman municipality of the Bono East Region.
The plant, which is being established by the Jospong Group (JGC) and its partners, in collaboration with government, is estimated to cost some €15 million.
The construction of this plant is in line with the Akufo-Addo government’s policy of creating an enabling environment for the private sector to partner government to bridge the infrastructure gap in sanitation.
Upon completion, the plant will receive, sort, and process 200 tonnes of solid waste within the Techiman municipality.
The President noted that the benefits to be accrued from the project include the effective and efficient management of solid waste; the production of organic compost for horticultural and agronomical purposes; the 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 more important will be the provision of jobs for the youth of this community and its environs, which will help improve the local economy,” he added.
Clean water and sanitation
President Akufo-Addo, who is the co-Chair of the Eminent Group of Advocates for the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, noted that this intervention will help the nation 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 added that the expectation is that the establishment of such facilities will be replicated in the other parts of the country to facilitate the management of environmental sanitation across the country.
He urged all stakeholders to see to the timely completion of these projects, and ensure that construction is carried out pursuant to required standards and specifications.
The Executive Chairman of JGC, Joseph Siaw-Agyepong, said the plant is expected to create 75 and 250 direct and indirect jobs, respectively, when completed, adding that with the President performing the sod cutting, “we are starting the construction immediately.”
Dr Siaw-Agyepong thanked the chiefs and people of the area for offering 100-acre to his company for the project. He disclosed that eight assemblies will bring their solid waste to the plant for processing, adding: “This solid waste facility has the capacity to do sorting, process, turn waste into fertilizers, plastics, among others.”
Tuobodom road projects
In a related development, the President also cut sod for the commencement of construction of the town roads of Tuobodom, also in the same area.
President Akufo-Addo indicated that a total of 5.5 kilometres of roads within Tuobodom will be given a “bitumen face-lift”.
With the mainstay of residents of the town being agriculture, the President was confident that the completion of the road will help facilitate the movement of people, goods and services within the town.
The works to be undertaken include the clearing and demolition of existing weak structures, formation, widening of narrow sections, construction of critical culverts, construction of u-drains, construction of trapezoidal drains, sub-base, base, embankment protection, primer and seal.
Year of roads
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, stated that a total of 73 road projects are being undertaken in Bono East Region.
Specific to the town of Tuobodom, Mr Amoako-Atta said the Zongo Market road, Chief’s Palace No.1 road and Chief’s Palace No. 2 roads are examples of the roads that will be constructed under the project.
He reassured all persons whose structures may be affected by the construction that they would be duly compensated, and urged the chiefs and people to help ensure that the process is completed on time.
Source: dailystatesman.com.gh