River Pra to be dredged to improve water supply

Bosomase (W/R), Jan.31, GNA -The River Pra is to be dredged to enable the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to obtain enough water at the Bosomase and Daboase water intake points and distribute to consumers in Sekondi-Takoradi.

Dr Hannah Bissue, Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, made this known on Tuesday, when she interacted with journalists after a day’s tour of the two facilities and head works.

Dr Bissue noted that water from the River Pra does not flow freely to the two intakes because their entrances are blocked by sand that has accumulated there as a result of small scale mining (galamsey) in the river.

She said this had made it difficult for the GWCL to obtain enough water for production and distribution.

Dr Bissue said contract for the dredging project would soon be awarded in order to avert water shortage.

She urged the INTERMERC Ghana Limited that has bid for the project to move to site when the contract is approved.

Dr Bissue appealed to the workers of GWCL to cooperate with the contractor to execute the project satisfactorily.

Mr Eric Johnson, Country Representative of INTERMERC Ghana Limited said a weir and a dyke would be constructed on the River Pra as part of the project to retain sufficient water for treatment.

He said a transformer cable at the Daboase Intake installed in 1968 would be changed under the project.

Mr Johnson said water would flow freely to the intake wells as the project is in progress in order not to disrupt water supply.