ISODEC urges Government to intervene in GWCL, AVRL stalemate

January 27, 2011
Accra, Jan. 27, GNA – The Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) on Thursday appealed to the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing to resolve the dispute between workers of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and Aqua Vitens Rand Limited (AVRL).

A statement signed by Bishop Akolgo, Executive Director, said the looming labour unrest in the sector was due to “the low performance of AVRL and what workers consider as their deteriorating economic circumstances”.

It warned that Ghanaians stood to suffer a further deterioration of water supply if the issue was not immediately attended to.

ISODEC said as a keen observer of happenings within the urban water sector and the AVRL management contract in particular, it had noted an uneasy relationship between the GWCL Head Office, the rank and file workers and AVRL.

“All these are a result of a very curious and confusing organogram that resulted from the management contract,” it said.

ISODEC noted that although officials of the GWCL would hardly openly admit to the tense situation, “this has been the atmosphere for some time now”.

“These issues coupled with some economic demands of the rank and file workers are simmering and if necessary steps are not taken by the Ministry to remedy them, the situation will have far reaching consequences for citizens and the current water supply situation,” it said.

GNA