President Akufo-Addo commissions the water project
Some 106,842 residents of the North East and Northern regions will be benefitting from the Nalerigu Water Supply Project constructed under the Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation Project.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony for the project yesterday, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said the Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation Project has been implemented in 11 out of the 16 regions of the country, and has been financed by a $47.5 million credit facility from the World Bank.
He added that project implementation covers four municipal and district assemblies, namely West Mamprusi, East Mamprusi and Chereponi, in the North East Region, and Saboba in the Northern Region.
“The number of beneficiary communities are nine, and these are Nalerigu, Walewale, Wungu, Gbimsi, Gambaga, Naanori, Chereponi and Saboba. It is instructive to note that, out of the total amount of GH¢26,848,075 spent on the water project in the North East Region, the cost of the Nalerigu Water System was GH¢4, 932, 085,” he said.
SDG 6
The President continued, “As co-Chair of the Group of Eminent Advocates for the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, I am glad that the completion of this project will go towards the realisation of SDG No.6, which demands that we “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”.
To residents of Nalerigu and beneficiary communities of the water project, President Akufo-Addo admonished them to help ensure the longevity of the treatment plant by protecting the water bodies “by stopping activities such as galamsey, sand winning and farming along river banks, all of which lead to their pollution”.
This, the President explained, would help guarantee improved water supply, in terms of quality, quantity and reliability, to the people of Nalerigu and surrounding communities, adding that with this provision water-borne diseases, such as guinea worm, cholera and dysentery, would also be eliminated.
Investors
President Akufo-Addo is expectant that with “the availability of potable water in this area, investors will take advantage of Government’s flagship programmes such as ‘One- District, One-Factory’ to establish small and medium scale factories to create employment opportunities for the youth of this community, and stimulate the growth and development of the local economy.”
The Community Water and Sanitation Agency, since 2017, has engaged 1,152 professionals, made up of engineers, hydrogeologists, water quality specialists, accountants, community relations officers and revenue staff, to ensure that the water systems are properly managed and maintained.
Making reference to this, the President encouraged inhabitants in the beneficiary communities with requisite skills in water systems management to take advantage of the employment opportunities created by the provision of the water systems.
“I will continue to urge inhabitants of the beneficiary communities to help maintain this water infrastructure, so they can continue to have access to potable water and, through that, ensure the general well-being and health of all the respective communities,” he added.
Source: Daily Statesman
