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Winneba, (C/R), Aug. 13, GNA - The Awutu-Efutu Senya District Assembly has denied Ghana Television (GTV) news reports that it had polluted the Weija Dam through wrongful disposal of waste in an area linking the Densu River.

The assembly described the report as "misleading", calculated to tarnish its image because the stream in the area where the waste material is dumped had no link with the Densu river.

Reacting to the GTV report which was shown last Saturday in which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accused the assembly of wrongful disposal of refuse, the authorities of the assembly said the site was given to them by the Custodians of the Kasoa Lands. They maintained that before the assembly decided finally to use the site, it conducted intensive examination with experts to prove its environmental suitability.

He said the assembly was aware of the serious consequences environmental pollution could cause not only to people in the area but also to the users of the water from the Weija Dam and would therefore, not do anything contrary to the laws connected with environmental degradation.

"It is therefore, wrong for EPA officials to conduct newsmen round the area where the assembly dispose off its waste material without first contacting the authorities of the assembly for facts about the whole issue."

The Assembly called on the Chief Executive of the EPA to advise its staff to always consult their partners in development in such cases to ensure effective protection of the environment.

Meanwhile, the assembly has asked the EPA to ensure the early release of a refuse truck and cesspit emptier, which the officials of the EPA impounded during the inspection. 13 Aug. 03