President Akufo-Addo is joined by Yaa-Na Mahama Abukari II to cut sod for the Yendi water project
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday and Wednesday cut sods for the construction of the $223m Tamale and $30m Yendi water supply projects, respectively, in fulfilment of a pledge he made to the people of northern Ghana in the lead up to the 2016 elections.
The Yendi water supply project, being financed by a facility from the India Exim Bank, is aimed at providing the people of the Yendi municipality and its environs with 15,000 cubic metres of water daily to meet the water demand from now till the year 2040.
Cutting sod for the construction yesterday, President Akufo-Addo indicated that communities earmarked to benefit from the project, upon completion, include Yendi, Ghani (Ngani), Sambu, Adobo, Sokoli, Nakpachei, Gbungbalaga and Kuga.
“Yaa-Na Mahama Abukari II, when I told you that ‘great days lie ahead of Dagbon’, this is what I meant, as this project signals the beginning of infrastructural development for Yendi. And, as you know by now, when Akufo-Addo makes a promise, he keeps it,” he said.
Long overdue
The President stated that it had been 59 years since the construction of the original Yendi Water Supply System, which took its raw water source from the River Daka.
“Since its construction, it has not undergone any rehabilitation works, and it is no longer capable of satisfying the water needs of Yendi and its environs. Additionally, because of the considerable increase in population and economic growth, it has become necessary to construct a new water supply system to meet the water demands of Yendi and its adjoining towns and communities,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo assured residents of Yendi and all Ghanaians that his government’s commitment to protecting the country’s water-bodies that serve as the sources for the provision of potable drinking water for the nation is unwavering.
“We continue to wage war against, and intensify our resolve to curb the activities of illegal miners (galamseyers), sand winning and farming along the banks of our water bodies, which lead to their pollution,” he added.
On schedule
Thanking the Indian Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through the Indian Exim Bank, for making available the funds for the Yendi water supply project, he said it is a “good testimony of the strong bonds of co-operation and collaboration that exist between our two countries. Long may it continue.”
He urged the contractor, Messrs WAPCOS Ltd of India, to complete this project on schedule, and help deliver potable water to the beneficiary towns and communities.
The President thanked the Yaa-Na “for the gracious gesture and honour of conferring the chieftaincy title, Dagbon Malti Naa Abudani I, on me, and I promise you that I will do my best to live up to the title.”
Tamale project
Earlier on Tuesday, during sod cutting for the construction of Tamale Water Supply Project, the President said the project will expand the supply capacity of the Tamale Metropolitan area, and also improve upon the flexibility of water supply, by building a new water supply system which will rely on the White Volta at Yapei, with a 29.7 million gallons per day capacity water treatment plant.
“This will be, by far, the biggest water project in the five northern regions, and the second biggest in the history of our country,” he said.
He disclosed that his government will construct a new water treatment plant at Yapei, thereby making available two water supply systems working concurrently to supply water to Tamale and its environs in order to guarantee the availability of enough potable water in the Metropolis, as this will extend the coverage area of water supply.
The beneficiary towns and communities of this project in Tamale and its environs include Cheshegu, Nanton, Yapei/Yipala, Chirifoyili, Nyankpala, Yepeligu, Dalun, Pong Tamale, Yoggo, Gbullung, Sanerigu, Zagayull, Gurugu, Sankpala, Zangbulung, Jisonayili, Savelegu, Kusawgu, Kakpagayili, Tibung, Bagabaga, Kanvili, Tolon, Tamale Township, Kumbungu, and Vitin.
Water for All
Reiterating his government’s policy to ensure that all the 16 regions of the country have access to water, President Akufo-Addo told residents of Tamale that, since he assumed office in 2017, his government has embarked on securing funding for the construction of water treatment plants, to increase access to water of the citizenry, and to create the enabling environment to attract local as well as foreign investors.
“I am happy to announce that Government has secured funding for the Upper East, Tamale, Damongo, Yendi, Wenchi and Keta water supply projects. The Upper East Water Supply Project, which began in 2018, is progressing steadily, whilst the sod cutting for the Damongo and Yendi projects will take place tomorrow, and those of Wenchi and Keta shortly,” he said.
The President said, upon completion, these projects will serve a total population of 1.6 million people. He further disclosed that the government has also secured funding for the construction of the Sunyani, Sekondi-Takoradi and Techiman water supply projects, “all subject to pending cabinet and parliamentary approvals.”
“Government is going through the process of securing funding for the Tarkwa, Fanteakwa-Begoro, Hohoe, Assin Fosu, Kpong Phase II and Dambai water supply projects, as well as the Weija Dam rehabilitation and Barekese Dam expansion projects,” the President assured.
Source: Daily Statesman
