<<Print>>

A manhole located about five metres from the entrance of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) is spilling faecal matter on one of Tema’s busiest roads.

The manhole, which connects the assembly’s sewer lines to the Tema central sewer system, is partially opened and gushing out offensive liquid waste.

Commuters alighting from taxis and those going to board the Metro Mass bus stationed at the place had to tiptoe and carefully manoeuvre to avoid stepping in the stinky liquid waste water.

Angry residents living around that area told journalists that the stench emanating from the overflowing manhole was unbearable.

A beverage seller, who gave her name as Yaa Baby, said that she saw the manhole overflowing early in the morning and after several hours it was yet to be tackled.

She added that the manhole often gushes out liquid waste during rainfall but could not tell what causes the current overflow.

A Metro Mass bus ticket vendor who declined to give her name indicated that some passengers refuse to board the bus because they do not want to stride through the liquid waste.

The Tema Metropolitan Waste Management Engineer, Mr Solomon Noi, reacting to the concerns of the women, said officials from his outfit were expected to work on the manhole by close of work yesterday.

Mr Noi explained that the situation was a result of residents dumping plastics and other materials into the sewer lines, leading to its blockage.

According to him, the blockage led to the forcible opening of the cover of the manhole due to the pressure of the liquid waste, which could not flow freely.

He, therefore, cautioned residents against dumping insoluble materials into the sewer lines to prevent such spillages.