By Michael Pepsin Avorgah
Agbozume (V/R), Sept. 26, GNA – Processes are underway to restore reliable water supply to Agbozume and surrounding communities in the Ketu South Municipality, following prolonged water shortages in the area.
Mr Edward Avornyo, Consultant for the project, said the project was currently at the contractor selection stage, after which construction would commence.
Speaking during a community engagement to brief stakeholders on the scope of the project, Mr Avornyo said the new water system would provide direct household connections to about 100 households and establish 25 public standpipes.
He said the project would also include an overhead water tank and transmission lines connecting the borehole to the distribution system, with the transmission network covering about two kilometres.
Mr Avornyo said households within an estimated five-kilometre radius of the system would also have access to an uninterrupted water supply.
He explained that the project would operate independently of the existing pipelines belonging to the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), which he described as obsolete and unsuitable for the proposed system.
He said the funds allocated for the project were intended to establish a new water system for Agbozume and adjoining communities.
According to him, the system had been designed with affordability in mind to enable households to access the service.
Mr Avornyo said once stakeholder engagements were completed and a contractor selected; work would begin and be completed within the stipulated period.
Mr Edward Gbeti, Chairman of the Works Sub-Committee of the Ketu South Municipal Assembly, expressed satisfaction with the scope of the project, saying it offered a new approach to addressing the area’s longstanding water challenges.
He said previous attempts had been made to connect water from Nogokpo and Klikor to Agbozume, but the new design was expected to provide a system suited to the needs of the beneficiary communities.
Mr Gbeti said the project was being funded through the District Performance Assessment Tool (DPAT), with GH¢5 million allocated and available for its implementation.
He said nine electoral areas were expected to benefit from the project, including Agbozume North and South, Klikor, Ahorkpe-Bayikor, Dzaglame, Nogokpo, Taskcorner and Afuta-Glidzi, among others.
Mr Gbeti expressed optimism that the project would help address the water challenges that had persisted in the area for several years.
He appealed to residents and other stakeholders to support the project and help prevent land disputes that could delay implementation.
He also encouraged the youth to take advantage of the direct and indirect employment opportunities expected to arise from the project.
Residents of Agbozume and surrounding communities have endured water shortages for about four years, forcing many households to travel to other communities to purchase water for domestic use.
Residents say the situation has increased their household expenses, with some hiring motor tricycles, popularly known as “Aboboyaa,” to transport water from distant locations.
The water shortage has also affected schools, health facilities, and workers who require regular access to water to carry out their activities.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Linda Asante Agyei