The government is expected to disburse a whopping GHC1, 494,706,592.93 billion this year, as part of its commitment to providing access to potable drinking water across the country.
The projects, which will be spearheaded by the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), are for both expansion and water supply, and will be secured through loans and grants.
Documents available to the Daily Statesman reveal that the projects, which are 12 in number, will be carried out across the regions. This is to achieve government’s target of “Water For All” by 2030.
Breakdown
According to the documents, GHC507 million will be disbursed for the Phase II of Kpong Water Supply Expansion, while GHC15 million has been allocated to Kumasi Addendum Project. Hohoe & Ho Water Supply Expansion project has also been apportioned GHC170 million.
The government is also expected to disburse GHC72 million for Low-income Urban Water Supply projects, GHC190 million for Sekondi-Takoradi Water Supply project and GHC143million towards Sunyani Water Supply project.
In addition, GHC55 million has been earmarked for Keta Water Supply project; GHC59 million is expected to be used for Techiman Water Supply project; GHC26 million for Assin Fosu Water Supply project; while GHC188 million will be used for Weija Water Supply project. The Fanteakwa-Begoro Water Supply project will be allocated GHC35 million.
The document further indicated that GHC29 million has been allotted for another in one of the regions.
Ongoing projects
Meanwhile, work on nine ongoing projects in the water and sanitation sector across the country is progressing steadily.
The projects, expected to provide about 1.9 million Ghanaians with access to potable drinking water, are estimated to cost $397 million.
They include Sogakope-Lome Trans-boundary Water Supply project, Upper East Region Water Supply project, Yendi Water Supply project, Damongo-Tamale Water project and the Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation project.
23 small town systems
Also, as part of the Additional Financing-Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation Project (AF-SRWSP), government is constructing 23 small town water systems in 11 regions. The project was originally designed for six regions. However, the creation of new regions has increased the number of beneficiary regions to 11.
The US$45.7 million project will now benefit the Northern, Upper East and West, Bono, Central, Western, North East, Savannah, Bono East, Ahafo and Western regions.
Water supply systems are also being constructed at Bronsanko, Asiri, Jankufa, Prang and Dotobaa in the Bono, Bono East and the Ahafo regions.
In addition, water supply systems are being constructed at Walewale, Gambaga, Nalerigu, Gushiegu, Saboba and Chereponi within the Northern, North East and Savannah regions.
Also, the rehabilitation of the Lambusie, Hamile/Happa water systems in the Upper West region is ongoing. In addition, 250 boreholes are being constructed in Daffiam –Bussie, Lawra, Sissala West, Nandom and Jirapa, with rehabilitation works expected to serve a population of 7848 people in Lambusie and a total of 13,920 people in Hamile and Happa.
Asempaneye and Oseikojokrom Water systems in the Western and Western North regions are also being constructed.
In the Central Region, communities within the saline belt are being connected to the pipelines of the Ghana Water Company Limited. Beneficiary communities include Essakyir, Mando, Abaasa, Obonster, Essiam, Gomoa Enyiresi, Anomasa, Ayelda, Bontrase, papase and Agona Nkum.
A total of 84 communities are expected to benefit from the project.
Execution and payment
According to a report on the projects, seen by the Daily Statesman, as at October 2019, the average execution works in the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions was above 90 per cent while the unpaid contract amount balance was about 22 per cent.
In the Central Region, except one contract with less than 60 per cent completion, the remaining 12 contracts were in the range of 63 per cent and 98 per cent.
In the Northern Region, the highest accomplishment of 85 per cent was reported, even though more than half of the projects were yet to be utilised as at the time.
In the Upper West region, more than 80 per cent of the rehabilitation works in the Lambusie and Hamile/Happa system was completed, while the progress in the drilling of 250 boreholes in all the 6 districts were on critical path with 196 boreholes drilled and pump tested.
In the Western Region, 80.50 per cent of the outstanding works on Asempaneye and Oseikojokrom systems was completed, while 67 per cent of the contract amount was invoiced.
Source: Daily Statesman
