Activities of illegal mining around a water body
Management of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in the Eastern Region has called on the government to help the company in its operations by streamlining the activities of illegal miners in the region.
According to the water company, the activities of illegal miners are making it very difficult for them to supply water to consumers. They, however, believe that when the activities are streamlined it will curtail the difficulties they are already facing.
Speaking to the media over the weekend, the Eastern Regional Public Relations Officer of GWCL, Kwadwo Daase, indicated that the company had been compelled to frequently shut down their treatment plants since the plants are unable to process water for the people. This is due to the level of turbidity in the water from the region, caused by actions of illegal mining, popularly referred to as ‘galamsey’.
“We had to shut down the Kyebi treatment plant due to high turbidity as a result of illegal mining operations along the Birim river. We have four of our plants taking their source from the Birim river so when we shut them down, we are faced with so many challenges in our operations. And we have to wait for a long time until it gets better too,” he said.
Road construction
He further noted that activities of road contractors have also been affecting their operations. This is due to the cutting of their pipelines by companies that are constructing roads in the region.
He called on road contractors in the region to always collaborate and communicate with GWCL whenever they are undertaking their activities. This, he said, will enable the company to help the contractors identify where the pipelines are and how to manage them without unduly cutting them.
About The Author
