Bono East: NPP and NDC executives back government’s plan to decentralize sanitation mangement

Some executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Bono East Region have thrown their support behind government’s decision to decentralize sanitation management across the country.

The John Dramani Mahama led-government is rolling out a new framework aimed at empowering Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to take full charge of sanitation-related issues in their respective areas. The initiative involves providing the assemblies with adequate funding, logistics, and clearly defined responsibilities to ensure sustainable sanitation management and improved public health outcomes.

According to the government, this decentralization strategy is expected to enhance sanitation services and infrastructure, promote effective solid waste management, and expand access to safe and affordable water and sanitation facilities.

Reacting to the announcement, some political figures from both major parties in the Bono East Region have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a positive step towards improving sanitation nationwide.

The Techiman North Constituency Treasurer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Albert Bariyona, welcomed the decision, describing it as a good initiative provided it is properly implemented.

He disclosed that sanitation management has traditionally been the responsibility of local assemblies. Mr Albert Bariyona cited the precedent set during the tenure of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who delegated the supervision of sanitation service providers like ZoomLion to the assemblies.

“Government’s plan to decentralize sanitation management is a very good initiative. This is not the first time such an idea has been proposed in the country, and we welcome it wholeheartedly.

“Sanitation management is the responsibility of the assemblies. That is why former President John Agyekum Kufuor handed over the supervision of ZoomLion to the various assemblies, so if the current government intends to decentralize it again, we fully support the initiative.” He said.

However, he cautioned that the move comes with a significant responsibility and called for adequate logistics and resources to be provided to the assemblies to avoid future challenges.

“However, it is a huge responsibility that the President is entrusting to the assemblies, and we do not want to hear complaints in the futureespecially regarding the lack of logistics.” He said.

The Deputy Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Techiman South, Baba Issah, disclosed in an interview with the media that under the previous arrangement, sanitation contracts were largely managed at the national level. However, with the new plan, local authorities will now have the power to supervise and manage sanitation service providers directly, an initiative he said will go a long way in creating employment opportunities within the various assemblies.

“We are all happy that the President has announced plans to decentralize sanitation management. Previously, contracts were managed at the national level but President John Dramani Mahama wants to decentralize it, and this could create employment opportunities within the various assemblies.” He said.

According to him, the decentralization of sanitation management in the country will give assemblies direct control over the companies awarded the contracts, which will, in turn, make the supervision of sanitation management more effective nationwide.

“When sanitation management is decentralized, it will also give assemblies the power to supervise the companies contracted to handle sanitation in their respective communities. This will help make sanitation management in the country more effective.” He said.

Source: Elvisanokyenews.net

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