If this problem will be solved that permanently, I will sleep a very happy man- Pres. Mahama on water shortages

• Posted on February 27, 2013February 27, 2013
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

President John Dramani Mahama has expressed satisfaction with ongoing works at the Kpong Water Plant which, when completed, are expected to solve the perennial water shortages in some areas of Accra.

He paid a visit to the plant and called on workers there to increase the pace of their operations in order to meet their deadlines.

“There is a huge demand for water both for domestic and industrial purposes so we need to keep ahead the growth in demand. I am sure that this project, if we do phase one, bring in another 40 million gallons, we should immediately start working on phase two to increase to 80 million gallons.”

He said that according to the rate at which the city is expanding, “if we don’t keep one step ahead, then always we will have problems with shortage. I can’t wait for this to come on stream because traditionally water starved areas in the city… and if this problem will be solved that permanently, I will sleep a very happy man.”

He also made a stop at the Weija Water Treatment Plant to inspect the facility and promised government’s support to the Ghana Urban Water Limited (GUWL) in addressing pressing challenges at the site.

About two weeks ago, the water situation in Accra worsened when some filters at the Weija plant were damaged.

GUWL Managing Director Senyo Amengor indicated that repairs on the filters are ongoing, with one expected to be in full use within 28 days.

President Mahama described water provision as an essential service because, “it is said that water is life and without water, no human being can exist and so the function that you provide for Ghana is the most critical function.”

He encouraged workers to “do your work with happiness and produce so that Ghanaian people can have the benefit of the product that you give them.”

The president said he is well aware of the challenges the company is facing and promised to work closely with them to solve the challenges.

“I’ve seen the problems with the filters and all that; we are going to work and fix the filters. This plant, I am told, is capable of producing 54 million gallons of water. We should be able to produce the maximum of 54 million gallons because Accra is a growing city.”

He also promised that the government would collaborate with the company to cut systematic waste by improving their transmission lines and other facilities.

“Together with you, we are going to work so that we can improve the distribution system and improve your revenue collection system because if you are not collecting enough revenue, then it makes it difficult for you to continue to finance the maintenance and the servicing of this plant.”