Ensure The Sustainability Of Small Town's Water Supply System- Association
Mr Hamiza Zakaria, President of the Association of Small Towns Water Supply Systems has appealed to the government to consider reducing tariffs on the water supply system for the sustenance of the system to serve the needs of rural areas.
Mr Zakaria made the appeal at the inauguration of the association at Kintampo in Brong-Ahafo, under the theme, 'Ensuring the sustainability of small town water supply systems in Ghana, the role of the government and stakeholders'.
He complained that the major threat of the system is the high bills from the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Electricity Company (ECG) and if government failed to address the situation, the project might collapse in view of the 'unrealistic' income as against expenditure.
He said about 44 small town water communities formed the association to co-ordinate the management of the system to help improve and address challenges in the expansion of the project.
He said registered communities are in Ashanti, Western, Brong-Ahafo, Northern and Upper East regions.
Mr Zakaria expressed concern about how some Municipal and District Assemblies are reluctant to support the water system, though they own the project and appealed to all stakeholders to ensure it is sustained.
Mr Awudulai Razak, Kintampo North Municipal Chief Executive, commended the association and managers of the water system for their efforts and urged them to maintain the spirit.
He called for a national frame work policy that will facilitate the expansion of the system to other places to help improve the health of the people for national development.
The MCE commended the various foreign donors who helped in the project and pledged the Assembly's support.
Mr Mahamadu Mahama, Municipal Environmental Health Officer, who presided, advised the Assemblies to facilitate the provision of sanitation facilities in the communities.
He urged landlords to provide places of convenience to promote sound environmental sanitation in the communities.