FIRST PHASE OF PLASTIC RECYCLING PLANT COMPLETED (PAGE 54)

THE first phase of the 1.5 million euro plastic recycling plant for the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipal Assembly has been completed.
The Cyclus Elmina Plastic Recycling Plant, located at Aburansa, is the first ever in the country to recycle plastic waste into chips and then churn it into pavement blocks, roofing sheets, containers, cloth, among others, for both local and the international market.
It is a partnership between Cyclus Netherlands and Vanhold Construction Limited, a local Ghanaian company. The project is being executed under the twin-sister city relationship between the Gouda Municipality in Netherlands and the KEEA Municipal Assembly.
The first phase comprises the administration block and the factory.
The equipment, is however, expected in the country by January next year and work would start in March immediately after installation and test run.
In an address at its inauguration at Aburansa at the weekend, the Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and President's Special Initiative, Papa Owusu Ankomah, underscored the benefits and the socio-economic impact on the livelihoods of the people in the community.
Papa Owusu Ankomah said since technology had made it possible to turn waste from industrialisation and population explosion into useful materials, waste should not be allowed to degrade the environment.
He noted that the operation of the company had generated so much interest that other companies in Accra and Kumasi had started transporting plastic waste to the factory site for recycling.
He said this would contribute to a clean environment in cities and villages, as well as provide employment for local people, and therefore advised management of the company to set up collection points in relevant locations to effectively manage the raw materials supply system.
He expressed the hope that such collaborative effort between the government and the Dutch government would be strengthened and expanded to other priority areas.
The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, who initiated the partnership whilst he was the District Chief Executive for KEEA five years ago, said the partnership had opened so many opportunities for the municipality.
He expressed the hope that the project would make a considerable contribution to consistent economic growth towards sustainable poverty reduction in the area.
He commended the untiring efforts of the Mayor of Gouda Municipality, Netherlands, Wim Cornelis, Messrs Jaap Warners, Hans Beltman, Leendart and all who contributed to the planning and the execution of the project.
He implored those who would be working at the factory to be dedicated and committed to ensure its success.
The Municipal Chief Executive of KEEA, Mr George Frank Asmah, said the factory was expected to create about 3000 direct and indirect jobs, as well as about 500 collectors.
He said the KEEA had earmarked Aburansa as the assembly's industrial zone, and cautioned the chiefs and people against litigation in order to attract the needed investors for job and wealth creation.
The Executive Director of Cyclus Elmina Plastic Recycling Limited, Mr Bless Kwame Darkey, said currently collectors had been trained to ensure regular supply of raw materials for the operations of the factory.
He said the collectors had also been trained in business management to enhance their business operations.
The Omanhen of Komenda Traditional Area, Nana Kodwo Kru II, who chaired the function, commended all those whose efforts had contributed to the realisation of the project.