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19.09.2004 Regional News

Public urged to accept private sector participation in water

19.09.2004 LISTEN
By GNA

Kukurantumi, Sept 19, GNA - Mr Ebenezer Gambrah, the Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), has urged the public to accept the Private Sector Water Participation (PSWP) for the efficient running of water in the country.

He denied the notion that water tariffs would be increased as a result of the PSWP and stressed that the privatisation of water would rather improve the water system.

Mr Gambrah said this on Friday at a forum organized by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) at Kukurantumi in the East Akyem District.

He said by the nature of the privatisation system some workers would be laid off and announced that 11 million dollars had been sought by the company to prepare packages for those who would be redeployed. Mr David Seshi, the Regional Commercial Manager of the company, said the domestic user charge per 1000 litres water was 4,152 cedis and the commercial charge of the same measure was 7,118.

Mr Franklin Boafo, the East Akyem District Director of the NCCE, said as much as it is the civic right of the people to enjoy facilities such as potable water, electricity and other developmental projects it is equally the responsibility of the public to pay taxes and other utility bills such as water and electricity bills.

He said it was the responsibility of every citizen to bring to the attention of authorities damage to public property such as bust pipelines, a fault on an electricity pole or lines and any other property provided by the state for the benefit of the public.

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