Scrap metal dealers on the loose
Without doubt, the scrap metal business in the country is providing some form of livelihood for unemployed youth in many parts of the country, particularly in Accra.
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Young men are seen all over the city daily, collecting scrap metal from homes and industrial areas.
However, because the activity is not controlled by city authorities, those involved are creating all sorts of difficulties for the public, especially road users.
For example, some scrap metal dealers have taken over a portion of the road close to the Gaskia Cinema Hall on the Zongo Junction-Russia road meant for a bus stop as well as other areas on the Korle Bu Mortuary road.
As if to throw a challenge to the city authorities, the dealers have mounted a weighing scale right at the bus stop and have trucks coming in and out to load their goods. The situation creates traffic jam since the road becomes constricted as a result and also leaves commuters with no option than to stand on the road to wait for transport.
The question on the lips of many is why should the city authorities sit down unconcerned and allow this disgrace and public abuse to go on?
The situation is the same at several places on the Graphic Road and parts of Adabraka. In all these areas, no action has been taken as yet.
One cannot tell whether the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has lost focus because of his alleged intention to vie to become a member of parliament. If that is not so, then he is expected to get to work to stop this nuisance.
The cost of allowing such lawlessness in the city to prevail also contributes to the country’s financial woes because when a preventable situation gets out of hand, it costs the taxpayer a lot of money to bring it under control.
The city faces another menace which is truck pushing. In spite of signals indicating that truck pushing is barred in the area housing the ministries for instance, the activity still goes on because the city authorities have again neglected their responsibilities.
Besides the city authorities, the onus is also on police patrol teams who park at vantage places in the city yet do very little except to run after unregistered vehicles.
In order to have a city that we deserve and crave for, we all need to lend our support and not allow poverty to numb our conscience because we cannot allow things to happen around us without control.