Chief reiterates need to rehabilitate Vea Dam

Naba Baba Salifu Aleemyaarum, Paramount Chief of the Bongo Traditional Area, has reiterated his appeal to government to rehabilitate the Vea Dam.

The Dam which serves as the major water supply source and irrigation in the Bolgatanga Municipality and its environs, has its walls collapsing due to lack of maintenance since it was built in the 1970s.

The lateral and canals of the dam, used for irrigation had also broken down, making it impossible for farmers to do dry season farming, as they used to crop rice, tomatoes, onions, pepper and green leafy vegetables.

Last two years, government attempted to rehabilitate the dam, but the Vea community raised objections over certain necessary things that had to be done, and it was abandoned.

The Paramount Chief who made the appeal to the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr James Zuugah Tiigah, said if measures were not taken by government to rehabilitate the dam in the next two to five years, it could collapse and that would cut off supply of water to the people.

He regretted that the Vea Dam Project which used to help improve the livelihoods of the people from the Vea, Yorogo, Bongo, Nyariga, Zaare, Bolgatanga, Yikinee among other communities, was left to become very deplorable.

“If the facility is well maintained by government, not only will it help supply water to the Bolgatanga Municipality and its environs, but will also help empower the people to go into dry season farming, instead of migrating to the urban centres in search of their livelihoods,” he stated.

While commending government for trying to solve the fluoride water content problem in the Bongo District by providing the area with Small Town Water System, and the construction of the Bongo-Bolgatanga Road, the Paramount Chief appealed to government to also consider working on the roads in the Bongo township, particularly the one leading to the Bongo Senior High School, which is being eroded by running water.

The Paramount Chief also appealed for the establishment of a Teacher Training College in the area, to help address the needs of education in the area, stressing that the area has about six Senior High Schools, which can feed the College.

The Regional Minister who gave the assurance that government would help address the concerns, impressed upon the people to give government the fullest co-operation to enable it provide the services.