Govt to boost water distribution in eastern Accra

Accra, Nov. 7 GNA - Ghana is sourcing 30 million dollars from the Dutch Government to build an additional water treatment plant to boost the distributions networks from Weija Dam to serve the eastern part of Accra.

It is expected that the measure would reduce the acute water problems faced by communities in Madina, Adenta, Ashale-Botwe and its environs.

Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, Minister of Works and Housing disclosed this on Sunday when the Netherlands Minister for Development Co-operation, Mrs. Agenes Van Ardenne paid a visit to the Weija Dam in Accra.

The trip was to afford the Dutch Minister the opportunity to inspect rehabilitation and expansion works at the treatment plant as well as distribution networks to the west of Accra, especially Kasoa and Amasaman

The Dutch Government, at a cost of 28 million Euros under its ORET facility comprising 65 per cent commercial loan and 35 per cent grant was funding the project.

Alhaji Idris called on the people in these areas to be patient and appreciative of government's effort at finding lasting solutions to their perennial water problems.

The Minister also urged the Dutch government to continue to assist Ghana in its effort at expanding the urban water systems across the country.

Mrs. Van Ardenne announced that the Netherlands government has changed its ORET funding facility to consist of 50 percent commercial loans and grants of which Ghana would be one of the beneficiaries. She said, the completion of the project would improve the accessibility of clean drinking water to a large population in the western part of Accra.

She said the water sector was the major recipient in Ghana of ORET funds, adding that, over the past five years, almost 100 million euros have been invested in urban water supply schemes.