President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday commissioned the €37.6 million Upper East Region Water Supply Project aimed at improving the water supply situation in the region.
The commissioning was part of the activities of his tour of the region.
The President said the water supply system would serve the people of Bolgatanga, Navrongo, Paga and its environs.
“The project will give 20,500 cubic metres of water per day, which is approximately 4.5 million of water per day, a three-fold increase from the 1.5 million gallons a day originally available to the Region,” he noted.
The President recounted that, in January 2018, the Ministry of Finance secured funding to the tune of €37,683,266, consisting of a €12,341,308 grant from the Netherlands Government, and a €25 million facility from ING Bank, also from the Netherlands, to implement the Upper East Region Water Supply Project.
He disclosed that the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, together with the contractor, DENYS NV, structured the project into two phases.
That, he indicated, was aimed at increasing the design horizon from 2030 to 2040, to make adequate provision for future demand in line with government’s policy to construct water projects taking into consideration future population growth.
“Apart from Bolgatanga, Navrongo and Paga, communities such as Zuarungu, Zarre, Sumbrungu, Kalbeo, Gambibigo, Winkogo, Bongo, Yorogo, Pungu and Akomkongu are also set to benefit from the project. 347, 446, in total, will be served with safe, potable water,” the President said.
Sustainable development
The President explained that the execution and completion of the Upper East Water Supply Project was in consonance with government’s programme to achieve the target, set under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
President Akufo-Addo further reaffirmed Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment, through the provision of social infrastructure, that would attract businesses to communities.
“Accordingly, I expect that, with the availability of potable water in this area, investors will take advantage of Government’s Flagship Programmes, such as “One- District, One-Factory”, to establish small and medium scale enterprises to create employment for young people, so as to stimulate the growth and development of the domestic economy,” he stated.
Improving water supply
He disclosed that Government was working diligently to provide funds to improve the water supply situation in other parts of the country, with the objective of ensuring equity and an improved quality of life of the entire citizenry.
“It is worthy to mention that works have commenced on the Keta Water Supply Expansion Project in the Volta Region, the Wenchi Water Supply Project in the Bono Region, and the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project in the Ashanti Region. Works will commence, by the end of the year, on the Sekondi-Takoradi Water Supply Expansion Project in the Western Region, the Tamale and Yendi Water Supply Projects, both in the Northern Region, and Damongo Water Supply Project in the Savannah Region,” he mentioned.
Phase Two
The President also revealed that processes had started to develop Phase Two of the Kpong Water Supply Expansion Project, which will augment the supply of water to the people of Greater Accra.
“The Fanteakwa-Begoro Water Supply Project in the Eastern Region, the Tarkwa Water Supply Project in the Western Region, the Techiman Water Supply Project in the Bono East Region, the Assin Fosu Water Supply Project in the Central Region.
“The Western North Region Water Supply Project, the Hohoe Water Supply Project in the Volta Region, and the Kumasi Water Supply Project in the Ashanti Region are all in the pipeline, to help respond to the growing demand for water,” he stated.
The President urged inhabitants of the beneficiary communities in the Upper East Region to help to maintain the water infrastructure. This, he said, would enable them continually have access to potable water to promote good health among respective communities.
North East RCC Administration Block
In a related development, President Akufo-Addo, on Saturday, August 6 2022, commissioned a newly constructed administration block of the North East Regional Coordinating Council, in Nalerigu, as part of the working visit of the North East Region.
The administration block of the North East Regional Co-ordinating Council is amongst six new administration structures being constructed for the six newly created Regions, and the second to be completed for use, after the commissioning in September 2021 of the administration block for the North East Regional Coordinating Council.
The administration complex was constructed at a cost of seventeen million, six hundred and forty-seven thousand, five hundred and forty-three cedis, and seventeen pesewas (GH¢17,647,543.17). It will house all the departments of the Western Regional Co-ordinating Council and other Institutions to ensure effective and efficient administration of the Region.
About The Author
