Some Ghanaians in the Eastern Region are blaming the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) for what they alleged as deliberate water shortage since government has announced to absorb water bills for all Ghanaians.
As part of effort to relief Ghanaians from the impact of Covid-19, the government has accepted to take responsibility for water bills for the next three months, thus April, May, and June.
This was announced by President Nana Akufo-Addo during his fifth nation address on Sunday, April 5 at the Jubilee House. The new arrangement forms part of measures by the government to lessen the impact of the virus.
In similar development, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources in a letter dated 28 April, 2020 addressed to the Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company, which copy is sighted by Rite 90.1FM reads, “We forward herewith, letter No. NSCS 349/2VOL.9/1821 dated 25th March, 2020 from the National Security Ministry, notifying this Ministry of water shortage in Agormanya, Odumase and Atua in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality as well as Somanya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality…”
The letter went ahead to say, “...report further indicated that several communities in the Kwahu West Municipality are also facing water shortages.”
The invitation which called for urgent action, requested the utility company to study the situation and submit report for necessary action.
Below is the copy of the letter
In most parts of the region, people struggle to get regular clean drinking water let alone getting water to wash their hands.
“I live by the Mount Mary wall, for more than 3 weeks now no water. From another frustrated citizen who is suspected to be a worker at a health facility, Atua Government Hospital has no water for the past 5 months; we always buy water, even today we bought water. Somanya Salosi around Methodist School same problem, no water for 3 weeks.”
The above were excerpts from engagement on a facebook wall, Omanba Kodwo Boafo with followers whilst interacting about water supply situation in their communities.
In Somanya, Krobo Odumase, Agormanya, Asesewa, the capital for Upper Manya Krobo district and New Juaben district, residents have accused the water distributing department of the company as intentionally halting the frequent supply of water, partly due to the president’s intervention to pay 90 days water bills.
Reacting to the claim, Mr. Jones Senae who is the distribution manager for the Krobo District in the Eastern region denied the allegation of deliberate shortage, but was quick to associate the situation to some factors: the dry season, more demand as a result of the free water, low pressure and illegal connection.
“With the rationing that we are doing amidts the free water, we are not able to supply customers effectively well because of low pressure,” Mr Jones told Rite FM’s Omanba Kodwo Boafo in an interview at his office in Somanya on Thursday.
Adding: “we were challenge when we entered the dry season but with the free water, the challenge has even become worse because people have increased the rate of their consumption.”
The manager, however, admitted that customers at the extreme end of the supply line in places such as Atua, Sawer, Somanya and Sra are very challenge as a result of low pressure.
Meanwhile, Ing. Jones who commended his management team for supplying to all through their rationing alternative, noted that polytank and tanker services has being adopted to ensure water reaches every home in the catchment areas.
A document sighted by ritefmonline.org titled “tanker service with polytanks in deprived communities” indicates that a total of 76 polytanks will be stationed at vantage points in various deprived communities across 6 districts.
Having been allocated the greatest share of 42, the Krobo District is distributing among its deprived areas: 27 to lower Manya Krobo, 13 to Yilo Krobo and 1 each to Asukuma and Bosso Top, all in the Asuogyaman administrative district.
Below is the list of beneficiary districts and communities
Though the district placed third after New Juabeng and Nsawam in revenue mobilization in the region, the Krobo district is in dire need of logistics for effective service delivery.
Among Government measures to mitigate the spread of the global pandemic, Covid-19 includes compulsory wearing of nose mask, regular washing of hands under clean running water, social distancing, sneezing or coughing into the arms.
Ghana’s total confirmed coronavirus cases increased to 7, 303 including 34 deaths, after conducting 205, 890 tests.
While recovery cases raised to 2, 412, active cases is 4, 857. This was revealed by the Director of Public Health Dr. Badu Sarkodie in a press briefing in Accra today.
The Greater Accra Region remains the nation’s hot spot whilst the Eastern region has currently recorded 117, placing 5th among sixteen regions.
Source: Omanba Kodwo Boafo/ritefmonline.org
