By Benjamin Akoto, GNA
Sunyani (Bono), Feb. 10, GNA – Customers of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) in the Bono Region owe the Agency a total of GH¢700,000, a situation hampering its operations in the region, Mrs Mabel Ama Taylor, the Acting Regional Director, has said.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, she expressed worry that customers in the Wenchi Municipality alone owed about GH¢400,000.
Mrs Taylor said the accumulation of unpaid bills, coupled with unstable electricity supply, continued to obstruct the smooth running of the Agency’s activities, explaining that many consumers failed to pay connection charges and monthly bills after being connected.
“Our operations depend entirely on revenue from bills, and without prompt payment, we cannot keep our systems running,” she stated.
She added that the situation made it difficult for the Agency to mobilise funds for routine operations and to respond to emergencies.
She noted, for instance, that water pumps must be repaired immediately when they break down to ensure uninterrupted supply to communities.
According to her, some communities also suffered low voltage and power fluctuations, which affected water pumping activities.
Mrs Taylor explained that replacing damaged pumps and motors was expensive, with costs ranging from GH¢19,000 to GH¢130,000, placing a heavy financial burden on the Agency.
She further expressed concern about the deliberate destruction of some of the Agency’s transmission lines, saying some herdsmen cut the water pipes to provide their animals with water, leading to wastage.
Mrs Taylor therefore appealed to customers to pay their bills promptly to enable the Agency to provide reliable water supply to communities.
GNA
Edited by Dennis Peprah / Lydia Kukua Asamoah