Five persons believed to be foot-soldiers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have been arrested by the Ashaiman Divisional Police Command for unlawfully hijacking 12 newly-constructed public toilets in the Municipality.
The Ashaiman Municipal Assembly (ASHMA), about three years ago, demolished 12 toilet facilities in the area to pave way for the construction of new ones which rendered some toilet operators jobless.
A Non-Governmental Organization, Tri-Partite Partnership Project (TTP) constructed the toilet facilities which were financed by a private institution, Safisana Concept.
The ASHMA also supported the financing of the project.
Part of the financial assistance came from the African Water Facility (AWF) through the African Development Bank (ADB).
The toilets would help the Assembly to resolve some challenges relating to sanitation and prevent people from using unauthorized places.
The financiers of the new TTP public toilets, under the contract, were to appoint and train some persons to properly manage and account for the use of the facilities.
The Assembly received bids mostly from supporters of NDC who wanted to manage the facilities.
Operators of the old toilets, mostly foot-soldiers, were unhappy with the agreement between ASHMA and the financiers since they were not given the opportunity to manage the toilets.
They therefore took the law into their hands and chased persons who were tasked to manage the facilities.
The arrest of the five followed a report that members of a group, who are currently at large, took over some newly constructed public toilets.
Chief Superintendent of Police David Eklu, Ashaiman Divisional Police Commander, who confirmed the story, told DAILY GUIDE that the group besieged the premises, chased out the authorized operators of the facility, destroyed some of the padlocks and operated without lawful authority.
He said investigations are ongoing and those found culpable would be arraigned before court.
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