$120 million water project kicks off

Kumawu (Ash), July 13, GNA - Finance Minister, Dr Kwabena Duffour on Monday performed the ceremony for work to start on three major water projects in the Ashanti and Eastern regions, at a total cost of $120 million.

The projects were listed as the Kumawu, Konongo and Kwahu Ridge water supply, rehabilitation, and expansion works. Government is funding the projects, with a credit facility from Messsrs Bank Hapoamlim B.M. of Israel. Tahal Group of contractors from Israel has been awarded the job, which would take between 18 and 24 months for completion. Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin, Water Resources, Works and Housing Minister, said all the three are priority projects and everything would be done to ensure that they are completed to bring relief to the people. The Kumawu project, an entirely new system would serve Kumawu and 26 other communities in the Sekyere East and Sekyere West districts. It is projected that a total of about 148,665 people would benefit from the project in the two districts.

The Minister said the Konongo project involved rehabilitation and expansion of the old system to meet demand up to 2025. The current production capacity stands at 990,000 gallons a day and this would be increased to 3.5 million gallons a day, after completion. The Kwahu project would entail rehabilitation and expansion of the existing treatment plant, which was installed in 1978 to raise the production level from 198,000 gallons a day to 4.4 million. Mr Bagbin acknowledged the work done by the previous government to improve water supply to people in these areas.

"Our colleagues in the previous regime did their bit. It is now for us to seal and deliver it and we shall do so with pleasure." Mr Kofi Opoku-Manu, Ashanti Regional Minister, re-affirmed government's determination to ensure equitable development of the country. Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister, said the Kwahu project would promote tourism, education and agriculture in the area. He said there is the need for the people to unite to push the nation's development agenda forward. Mr Kweku Botwe, Acting Managing Director of Ghana Water Company, called on the people to support the company in its efforts to provide quality. Osabarima Owusu Gyamadu III, Member of the Council of State, said there is the need for prompt payment of compensation to people who would be affected by the projects to avoid unnecessary tension and distraction of work.