By Jones Anlimah
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned the 3rd phase of the Five Districts Water Supply Project at Adaklu Waya in the Adaklu District of the Volta Region.
The third phase of the 11.5 million Euros facility will provide potable water to about 90 thousand inhabitants in 95 communities in the Adaklu, Agotime Ziope, and Central Tongu Districts.
Commissioning the 3rd phase of the facility, President Akufo Addo said his government will see to the continuous provision of potable water especially in the rural and peri-urban areas of the country.
President Nana Akufo-Addo in September 2020 cut sod for the commencement of the third phase of the Five Districts Water Project located in the Central Tongu District of the Volta region.
The project which was scheduled to be executed in two years was undertaken by Austrian firm, Strabag AG at a cost of 11.5 million Euros, a credit facility financed by the Raiffeisen Bank International of Vienna Austria.
The Five Districts Water Project forms part of the government’s Water for All policy which is aimed at ensuring frequent potable water supply for residents of rural and peri-urban communities in the country.
Residents in 215 communities in the Central and North Tongu, Adaklu, Agortime Ziope and Ho West districts are expected to benefit from the project. The third phase of the facility is however expected to benefit 95 communities with an estimated population of 89,000. The facility has a production capacity of 1.1 million gallons per day to serve the beneficiary communities.
Three 60m3 elevated concrete water reservoirs fitted with float valves have also been erected at Adaklu Kpeleho, Adaklu Sofa and Adaklu Kpatove. A total of 113 standpipes have also been provided in the 95 communities for use. The facility takes its source from the Volta River.
The Volta Regional Minister Dr. Archibald Letsa commended the people of the region for keeping faith with the president and his government and was hopeful that the stress and health risks of dependence on unhygienic sources of water in some beneficiary communities will be a thing of the past.
“The pain and stress of the beneficiary communities with regards for safe water over the years are gone and replaced with gratitude and joy. Your Excellency, you have promoted the health of our people for safe water contributes significantly to the reduction in cases of ill health,” he said.
The Paramount Chief of Adaklu Traditional Area, Togbe Gbogbi Atsa, while commending the president for his commitment to the development of Adaklu also called for attention to be given to other equally critical challenges in the area. “It is true that under your administration Adaklu District is enjoying the first pipe-born water system. It is an answer to our cry and prayers. We hope you to commission the Adaklu Tsrepe Kedzime road, to cut sod for the construction of a Cattle Grazing reserve which you promised the people of Adaklu,” he said.
“We also apeal to you to kindly donate a vehicle to the district police command to ensure their works are effective in the district. I also wish to respectfully remind you about your magnanimity towards Adaklu Senior High School when you promised to donate a bus to the school.” Togbega added.
The Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources Cecilia Dapaah was hopeful the improvement in access to water will lead to a reduction of water-related diseases in the beneficiary communities and districts.
According to her, the Community Water and Sanitation Agency is facilitating designs for the commencement of works on phase four of the project which will supply water to communities in Ho West and the North Tongu Districts respectively.
President Akufo-Addo said it was the focus of government to improve access to potable water and also ensure best practices of safe sanitation and hygiene by 2030 in line with the attainment of the 2030 United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. While outlining other water interventions by his government in other parts of the country which are at various stages of completion, the president noted that these interventions are aimed at improving the general well-being and good health of Ghanaians. ” Under the Rural Community and Small Town Water Supply Project government is improving access to sustainable water delivery within the Volta, Oti, Greater Accra, Ashanti and Eastern Regions to benefit a total population of some 282,000 and at a cost of 32 million Euros. The projects are ongoing and 17 percent complete,” He said.
“Ladies and gentlemen our urban communities have not been left out of the Water for All Agenda. The Keta Water Supply Project will also improve the reliability and sustainable water supply to a beneficiary community population of 422,160 in Keta and its surrounding communities. The Wenchi Water Project being constructed at a cost of 39 million Euros is expected to serve some 101,870 people. The Sekondi-Takoradi Water Supply Project which will cost 70 million Euros will also serve a beneficiary population of some 1.4 million within the Sekondi-Takoradi communities,” President Akufo Addo added.
end.