By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
Residents of Tamale, the northern regional capital, are advised to brace themselves for the worst as Ghana’s urban water management body, the Ghana Water Limited (GWL), hints at possible water rationing in the metropolis.
According to GWL, Tamale, the northern regional capital, has exceeded its water supply capacity, prompting the need for a systematic rationing approach to meet the demand.
To address the dire water situation, GWL is contemplating the implementation of a demand management programme to ensure residents in Tamale have access to water at least once a week.
The Managing Director of GWL, Dr. Clifford A. Braimah, admitted that his outfit has challenges in Tamale and its environs because the metropolis has outgrown the capacity GWL now has.
“So, all we can do is to have a systematic rationing process or demand management programme so that at least everybody in Tamale will have water at least once a week,” he added.
He, however, attributed some of the challenges, such as the disruption of pipelines, to urban roads during their construction.
During a recent visit to the Northern and Savannah regions, Dr Braimah emphasised the impact of urban roads on pipelines during construction, exacerbating water supply challenges.
The MD of GWL also advocated for a re-engineering approach to address these issues effectively.
Dr Braimah stressed the need for solutions to the challenges facing the people regarding water supply, including addressing issues caused by the activities of external agencies and power outages from NEDCO.
He called for citizens’ collaboration in identifying individuals who have inland pumps in their residences.
“We are here to look at the challenges that are confronting our people regarding the supply of water and whatever interventions that we can put in immediately to resolve or to minimize those challenges.
That’s why we are here. We were with authorities this morning at RCC when we spoke to the Minister about the support we need from the Regional Security Committee, because there are some of the challenges, for example, in Tamale, that are a result of activities of agencies and not Ghana Water Company.”
We depend on NEDCO 100% for production or for us to power their machines. At any time NEDCO power, flat twist, our systems go off. So you could have your systems working properly, because of inadequate power you are unable to deliver,” he stated.
