Bolgatanga (UE), May 1, GNA - Mr Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister, on Friday pledged his commitment to ridding the Region of filth, especially polythene bags.

He expressed worry at the indiscriminate disposal of plastic wastes on the streets, at homes, markets and farmlands, which according to him have become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and resulted in environmental degradation.

Mr Woyongo made the promise at the launch of a programme to improve sanitation in the Region under the theme: 93Zero tolerance for litter in the upper East Region," which was followed by a clean-up at Bolgatanga. To ensure full participation in the exercise, commercial vehicles and shop owners were only allowed to operate after the exercise ended at 12 noon. Members of the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly, heads of Departments, Ghana National Fire Service personnel, the Regional Police Commander, members of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), and market women also took part in the programme. The Minister appealed to the people to sustain the exercise, and said he was in touch with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for the purchase of plastic wastes for recycling. Mr Woyongo called on District and Municipal Assemblies to enforce byelaws on spot fines on indiscriminate littering, to ensure that recalcitrant people were made to face the full rigors of the law. He called on all sachet water sellers to collect and properly dispose empty sachets.

Mr Godfred Abulbire, Upper East Regional GPRTU chairman, said that clean-up was a wake up call on the people of the Region to ensure environmental cleanliness. He said he would ensure that all drivers and owners of vehicles take part in subsequent clean-up exercises. Mr Abulbire asked the Assemblies to ensure regular collecting of wastes, especially those in dust bins situated at vantage places in the markets and lorry stations.