Sekyere-Heman
(CR),
Nov. 18,
Ghanadot/GNA
–
Government
has
developed
a
National
Water
Policy,
to serve
as a
blueprint
for
water
supply
throughout
the
country.
President
John
Agyekum
Kufuor
announced
this at
the
inauguration
of Cape
Coast
Water
Supply
Project
and
Baafikrom
Water
Supply
Expansion
Project
at
separate
ceremonies
at
Sekyere-Heman.
The
policy
is being
implemented
by
Ministry
of Water
Resources,
Works
and
Housing
in
recognition
of
provision
of
potable
water as
critical
to
promotion
of
healthy
life
style
and
poverty
reduction.
With the
completion
of the
projects,
the
perennial
water
shortage
and
rationing
being
experienced
in Cape
Coast
Municipality
and
three
other
districts
in
Central
Region
in the
past is
now
over.
The
projects
estimated
at about
66
million
euros,
would
provide
all-year-round
safe and
reliable
potable
water
for more
than a
million
people
in Cape
Coast,
Komenda,
Elimina,
Moree,
Biriwa,
Anomabo
in
Mfantseman
District,
Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam
and
Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa
Districts.
The Cape
Coast
project
involved
construction
of a
30,000
cubic
metre
water
treatment
plant at
Sekyere-Heman,
laying
of 65
kilometres
of water
transport
and
distribution
mains,
reservoir,
booster
and
pumping
station
as well
as
rehabilitation
of
existing
headworks
at
Brimusu.
The
Baafikrom
project
was the
construction
of a new
water
treatment
plant,
transmission
and
distribution
pipelines,
new
concrete
reservoirs,
water
intake
structures
and
sanitation
facilities.
Netherlands
Government
provided
50 per
cent of
the
funding
in the
form of
grant
and the
remaining
50 per
cent
being
concessionary
loan.
President
Kufuor
said the
policy
confirmed
Government’s
determination
to
improve
the
living
standards
of the
people.
However,
he said
as
Government
lived up
to its
responsibilities,
it was
expected
that
other
social
partners,
especially
consumers
would
ensure
sustainability
of the
sector
with
sound
environmental
practices
and
protection
of water
bodies.
President
Kufuor
noted
that
four out
of six
major
urban
water
systems
in the
Region
were now
ready
and work
was
expected
to begin
on the
Assin
Fosu
Water
Supply
System
soon.
Funding
for the
project
has
already
been
secured.
President
Kufuor
earlier
in the
day cut
the sod
for work
to begin
on the
12.2
million
euro
Kasoa
Water
Project
at Kasoa
in
Central
Region.
The
project
is
designed
to
connect
Kasoa to
Kwanyaku
Water
Supply
System
through
the
extension
of
400-millimetre
pipeline
from
Buduatta
to Kasoa
Overhead
Reservoir.
Beneficiary
communities
include,
Buduatta,
Ojobi,
Senya
Bereku,
Gomoa
Fetteh,
Awutu-Bereku-Akraman,
Gomoa-Nyanyano
and
Buduburam.
GNA
