Residents of Supom-Dunkwa, in the Shama District who have never had access to potable water will be connected to treated water from River Pra by December 2019.
This follows a sod-cutting ceremony held on Tuesday for a 6.6-kilometre extension of a pipeline from Daboase junction to the community, located some few metres from the banks of River Pra.
The sod cutting was done by the MP for Shama, Ato Panford and the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, for a 6.6-kilometre extension of a pipeline from Daboase junction to the community which is located some few metres from the banks of River Pra.
Though the Ghana Water Company has for decades been treating over six million gallons of water per day from the river to supply residents of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, residents of Supom-Dunkwa in the Shama District, who are just metres from the River Pra banks use untreated water.
A resident of Supom-Dunkwa, Mama Hanna, told Citi News that access to potable water for both drinking and cooking has been a difficulty.
“Potable water supply here is not good. We can’t get water to drink. We used to drink from the Pra River but we were advised to stop drinking it because of the galamsey pollution. We had about six boreholes but almost all is spoilt leaving two which one is currently not in good condition. We are left with a mechanize pipe from the previous government but the water is not drinkable and hard for washing and bathing. With what we have seen using the water, they should have allowed us to close the pipe but they are still fetching it”, she said.
The MP for Shama, Ato Panford, lobbied government for the extension of a pipeline to supply potable water to the people of Supom-Dunkwa.
Speaking to Citi News on the sidelines of the sod-cutting ceremony, the Shama MP said it unacceptable for a community close to Pra River from which water is treated not to also benefit the treated water.
“This has been one of the key projects that our people need and we must do everything to serve our people. This is just the phase-one of the project bringing potable water from Daboase Junction to the people of Supom-Dunkwa. With the phase-two, we are going to cross the Pra River and send it to Asemasa-Number-One community which is close to KEEA and the Shama constituency boundary. From there, all other communities can easily tap from the four-inch pressure pipeline. I believe that the Beposo community and Atwereboanda which is about 10 kilometres off the main road would all be considered under the phase-two. We all live around the Pra River, and it is a pity that you are around such a mighty water body and you cannot get access to potable water. This is going to transform their health needs as we give them clean potable water”, he said.
The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah who led the sod-cutting ceremony commended the MP for his role in getting the project underway and advised contractors to commit to the project.
He further urged the youth from the community to take advantage of the business opportunities the potable water connection would bring to the community.
“It is good news that residents can celebrate this coming Christmas with potable water which is within the Sustainable Development Goal six. I entreat you to consider the business potentials of the potable water coming here and take advantage to improve your finances and the economy of Supom-Dunkwa. You also must help to protect the Pra River so you can get treated water at all year round”, he said.
The Western Regional PRO for Ghana Water Company, Nana Yaw Barnie, told Citi News the 368, 000 Cedi project is being funded by the company.
He said it would take eight weeks to be completed after handing over of project site to the four contractors which include Zigma Engineering, Ewonak Enterprise, Asemabapa Company and Trusting Company.
“In all about four thousand 500 residents would benefit from this project. The extension to individual homes would depend on residents in the community because what we are going to do is to extend the pipeline to the community. It is up to the residents to come and apply for new service connection where applicants would be taken through the processes and when the estimates are paid for, then we would connect the individual home to the pipeline”, he said.
Mr. Barnie, however, advised residents not to challengethe right of way of the pipeline to cause diversion of the line and also delay the project schedule or cost.