The Local Government Ministry is set to introduce tricycles to collect wastes during the monthly National Sanitation Day exercise in a bid to ensure no waste is left behind after the clean up exercise.

The initiative is being supported by Zoomlion and the Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA)

There has been growing concern about huge quantities of waste left unattended to after the monthly clean-up exercise and the Ministry believes that tricycles, nicknamed “Moto King” will adequately address this problem.

This was disclosed by the Waste Management Director of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Anthony Mensah, after the second National Sanitation Day Stakeholders Forum in Accra.

The forum organized by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in partnership with Zoomlion and ESPA was to reflect on the successes chalked so far with the National Sanitation Day Programme, the challenges encountered and to map out strategies to improve the exercise.

According to Mr Mensah, the initiative will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the exercise as the compactors and skip trucks in use currently during the cleanup campaign do not easy have access to some of the collection points.

In some cases the trucks to convey all the rubbish collected to the dump sites are not available.

"The introduction of the tricycle concept will not only help clear the streets of garbage but will also promote interest in the exercise since people readily have access to the tricycles", he stressed.

Mr. Mensah also expressed concern over the low patronage of the National Sanitation Day exercise.

He intimated that the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) will vigorously implement its bylaws and intensify prosecution of sanitation offenders in order to deter others.

The Operations Manager of Zoomlion, Mrs Emma Akyea Boakye called for increased collaboration with the Local Assemblies explaining that "Zoomlion would support with logistics and equipment, but the was the need to increase public awareness on the essence of the exercise".

She commended government for instituting the exercise which has resulted in improved sanitary conditions in the country.

Executive Chairman of Zoomlion Group, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong has assured Zoomlion will continue to support the National Sanitation Day exercise.

The National Sanitation Day exercise is held on the first Saturday of every month to promote sanitation and hygiene among citizens.