Sekyere East introduces “Pay-as-you-fetch” policy

The Sekyere East District Assembly has introduced a “Pay-as-you-fetch” policy to help raise revenue to maintain boreholes and other water supply facilities in communities in the area.

The new policy allows water and sanitation committees to collect fees from people when they fetched water from community water supply systems.

Mr Emmanuel Adjei Baafi, the Presiding Member (PM), said the aim of the effort is to generate adequate revenue to ensure prompt maintenance and rehabilitation of water supply systems in communities to ensure uninterrupted flow of potable water, especially in rural communities.

He was speaking at the 2nd ordinary general meeting of the assembly at Effiduase.

Mr Baafi said persistent financial constraints has over the years made it difficult for the assembly to ensure prompt maintenance and rehabilitation of boreholes and other water supply systems in rural communities, making it difficult for the people to access quality water.

The policy, he said, was being introduced as an effective measure to mobilize the needed financial resources for community members to maintain and repair their water systems without relying on the assembly.

It would also engender community ownership of the water facilities and promote effective supervision at community levels.

Mr Baafi said the amount to be charged together with its accountability and safety would be decided by members of the community under their own circumstances.

Mr Charles Attah-Mensah, the District Coordinating Director, urged the Assembly Members to cooperate with members in their electoral areas in ensuring that the policy was smoothly implemented and sustained for the benefit of the people.

He also called for effective community participation and collaboration in the implementation of the policy to ensure ownership.

Source: GNA