Military to prevent illegal dumping and squatting at cleared Jamestown site

The government intends to enlist the military to secure the Jamestown Transfer Station following the removal of accumulated waste, Minister Mahama Ayariga announced. Ayariga stated that the military will safeguard the area once waste has been evacuated to prevent re-dumping. He emphasized that the military will also deter squatters from returning to the cleared land.

The military's involvement comes as authorities conduct a thorough analysis of the waste and landfill logistics. The Ministries of Defence, Roads and Highways, and Finance will collaborate, with the Roads and Highways Ministry likely providing necessary equipment. Ayariga stressed that waste removal efforts are futile if the area isn't protected afterward, aiming to avoid a repeat of the sanitation crisis.

The Ministry of Finance has plans for the development of Jamestown, underscoring the importance of maintaining the cleared land. Government wishes to prevent squatters from settling on the cleared land, as they could further exacerbate environmental and sanitation issues. Ayariga also warned against waste managers and recyclers undermining the clean-up by moving recovered materials back to the city, which could generate additional waste.

He urged proper processing and reuse of recyclable materials. Government is considering supporting young recycling entrepreneurs, including investing in crushing equipment to enable them to process recyclables and sell them back into the market.