Water System bodies asked to charge realistic tariffs

Tapa-Amanya, April 11, GNA - Mr Emmanuel Forster Boateng, Volta Regional Director of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), has advised bodies managing community water systems to charge realistic tariffs that would secure the sustainability of the facilities.

He the cautioned the bodies against reliance on funds from donations for the repair of faulty systems as that option would be unsustainable. Mr Boateng was speaking at the commissioning of a 345 -million cedi pipe borne water system for the people of Tapa-Amanya in the Jasikan District of the Volta Region on Saturday.

He said "You must also ensure that the operation of the facility could enable us meet the running cost of the system such as, replacement of parts, procurement of an entirely new submersible pump and payment of electricity bills when they fall due".

The Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), through the CWSA and the government of Ghana provided the bulk of the funds for the project while the community and the Jasikan District Assembly contributed 17 million cedis, representing five per cent of the cost of the project, which has a 60 cubic metre reservoir.

Mr Boateng said funds that accrue from the sale of the water were meant for the operation of the system and "not for any other purpose" and cautioned that the Regional Office of the CWSA would not allow any community to misapply or misuse the moneys.

He asked the people to serve as watchdogs over the Community Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) Committee, which oversees the operations of water systems under CWSA project, to ensure that all moneys collected were lodged into the appropriate bank account.

Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa, Volta Regional Minister, who commissioned the project, called for transparency in the management of waters systems. Mr Ofori Danso, Assemblyman for the Tapa-Amanya Electoral Area, expressed regret about the uncooperative attitude of the youth towards development of the town.

He said community leaders were frustrated during the collection of levies for the project adding that some people refused to pay the appropriate rates for water they fetched.

Nana Ntiamoah II, Tapa-Amanyahene, appealed to Government to build and a health centre for the town.