Tema, Accra, Sekondi to enjoy free-flow of water soon
Dr Hanna Bisiw, a Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, has said by October 2012, the Accra, Tema and Sekondi Metropolis would experience water scarcity no more.
She said two projects, including the rehabilitation and expansion works at the old Kpong Water Treatment Plant, would supply water to an estimated population of about 750,000 along the Kpong–Tema highway, selected coastal communities in the East of Tema Dodowa and communities on the Akwapim Ridge.
She said this when she took her turn at the Second Annual Policy Fair at the International Conference Centre in Accra.
The cost of the project, she said, was €727 million, adding that the project is being executed by Tahal Group Limited of the Netherlands.
She said the project, which is 29 percent complete would also provide water to communities such as Adenta, Madina, Ofankor and its surroundings communities, East Legon, Ashalley Botwe, Frafraha and its surrounding communities.
Dr Bisiw said the Kpong Water Supply Expansion project, is being executed by Messrs China Gezhouba Company Limited, with a loan acquired during President John Atta Mills’ recent trip to China.
She indicated that the construction would cover the 40mgd treatment plant, construction of new transmission mains through Dodowa, Adenta to Accra, the construction Booster Stations, Distribution Improvement, Reservoir Provision and dedicated electricity supply through arrangement with Electricity Company of
Ghana (ECG).
“Cabinet and Parliamentary approval have been secured and Environmental Impact Assessment has been conducted,” she said.
On Kasoa the inter-connection, the Deputy Minister said it had been completed, tested and was operational but yet to be handed over to the Ministry.
She said the Desalination plant at Teshie would yield 60,000m3 (13.2) of processed sea water to improve on the water supply situation within the Ledzokuku – Krowor Municipality adding that, the contract was at its finalisation stage.
For Sekondi-Takoradi, Dr Bisiw explained that the residents of the twin city would soon experience an enormous improvement in their water supply situation as a Chinese company had been engaged to rehabilitate and expand the Sekondi-Takoradi water system from the current level of 50,000m3 (11mgd) to new production capacity of 150,000m3 (33mgd).
Work, she indicated, would soon begin after the necessary approvals.
On flood control, the Deputy Minister said the Ministry through the Hydrological Services Department had over the past six months embarked on large scale channel improvement works through the widening and deepening of water channels as well as the construction of various types of drains and culverts on some streams and tributaries.
The government has made available a total of GH¢3.4 million for emergency flood relief works throughout the country with the beneficiary communities in this year’s flood control exercise being Achimota Mile 7, Gbawe, Kasoa, Kwabenya, Matetsulu, Abeka, Mamprobi Banana Inn and Ashaiman.
The rest, she said, are Madina, Haatso, Agbogba, Adenta, Amarhia, Ashiyie, Ningo, Kpando, Ada and Tefle among others.
“These interventions have improved the conveyance of flood water out of these flood prone communities by reducing the incident of flooding,” she said.
Dr Mustapha Ahmed, also a Deputy Minister of Water Resources Works and Housing, said the STX Housing Project would increase the housing stock and reduce the exploitation of tenants by landlords and estate developers.
He said the project would boost the morale of the men in uniform to continue to make Ghana a free and safe country for all.
He said it would also create jobs to local contractors, artisans, consultants, suppliers of building materials and food vendors.
Dr Ahmed said it would boost the foreign direct investment of the country and enhance technology transfer and training for the local people.
Source: GNA