Inhabitants of Wassa Akropong refuse to pay water bills

Wassa Akropong (W/R) Sept. 17 GNA - Residents of Wassa Akropong and its environs could soon begin using water from streams and rivers if they continued to resist to pay for pipe-borne water they consume.

So far they owe over 15 million cedis in unpaid bills, which, should have been paid to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for pumping the water.

Nana Ntim Bediako II, a chief of Dompim disclosed this at the first emergency ordinary meeting of the Amenfi East District Assembly at Wassa Akropong on Thursday.

He said the water project that relies on a central pumping system could soon break down due to the lack of maintenance and the persistent refusal of the communities to pay for their water.

Nana Bediako who is also an internal auditor of the Amenfiman Rural Bank said the ECG had threatened to stop pumping the water for Wassa Akropong and its environs by October 1 this year if the outstanding bills are not settled.

Mr. Joseph B. Aidoo, Western Regional Minister and acting District Chief Executive (DCE) said the non-payment of water bills by the township is a serious issue and could affect the work of the Assembly. He therefore, called for the overhaul of the Water Management Committee (WMC) of Wassa Akropong and called on the Ministry of Works and Housing to ensure that nearby communities get their own water systems to reduce the burden on the main Akropong system.

Mr. Aidoo cautioned that it was dangerous for any community to collect, use or drink from streams, rivers and other water sources since they could be polluted and could be hazardous to their life.

He said the assembly's allocation of 350 million cedis was meant purely for rehabilitation of water pumps in the entire district.

Mr. Aidoo therefore, suggested that an interim board should be established to supply water and collect monies for the regular maintenance and other routine checks.