Storm drains to be constructed across the country

Accra, Nov. 6, GNA - The Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface, on Tuesday said a master storm drain would be constructed across the country with particular focus in the three northern regions to forestall future floods. He said since majority of the people in the three northern regions were farmers and the landscape was mainly flat land, special focus would be paid to that area during the construction of the drains.

Taking his turn at the weekly Meet-the-Press series in Accra, Alhaji Boniface said the 10 million-dollar contract jointly financed by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and the Ghana government for the improvement of flood control and sanitation in the Tamale metropolis with particular attention to the Central Business District had been completed.

"The positive impact of this project has been witnessed by the performance of the drains during the recent rains, as its absence could have resulted in damage to life and property in the Central Business District of the Metropolis."

Alhaji Boniface said government had proposed to build houses for those who were displaced by the floods in the three northern regions. However, for those who would like to build their own houses a master plan as to how the houses were to be built would be put in place to forestall future disasters, he added.

"The plans being put in place are expected to change the lifestyle of the people of the three northern regions," he said. Alhaji Boniface said government through the African Development Bank (AfDB) was securing funding for the design and possibly the construction of water supply treatment plants to meet the 2020 demand for Wa, Yendi and Damongo.

"Construction work on the 45 million Euro Tamale Water Supply Project started on 18th August 2006 is on course and the contractor is expected to complete within the 24 months schedule.

"The completion of the project will help solve the perennial water problems confronting the Tamale metropolis and its surrounding communities," he said.

The Minister said the project would enhance the Guinea worm eradication campaign and improve upon socio-economic activities in Tamale and its environs.