President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has cut the sod for the construction of the Damongo Water Supply Project in the Savannah Region.
The existing Damongo Water Supply System is based on water abstraction from an irrigation dam. However, since 2005, the plant has not been in operation due to siltation issues, resulting from unfavourable climatic conditions.
This situation has, thus, led to inhabitants of Damongo having to resort to private hand-dug wells and boreholes fitted with hand pumps for their water needs.
“In recognition of these difficulties, as well as the result of population growth and the new status of Damongo as the capital of the Savannah Region, the government has decided to provide a befitting Water Supply System to ensure the supply of reliable potable water to meet the water demands of Damongo and its environs, for the rapid development of the Savannah Region,” President Akufo-Addo disclosed.
The government, the President indicated, had secured a credit facility of US$49,000,000.00 from the UK Export Finance and Deutsche Bank AG for the water project.
The water supply project, upon completion, will, in addition to the Damongo township, supply potable water to the following communities: Yipala, Banyasi, Ntereso, Fulfoso, Sumpini, Busunu, Kebiesu, Tailorpe, Alhassan Kura, Jonokponto, Achubunyo, Soalepe, Canteen, Frafra Settlement No.3, Boroto, and Nabori.
President Akufo-Addo was confident that the project would help alleviate poverty and improve the living standards of the beneficiary communities, as the Region can boast of key tourist attractions such as the Mole National Park, Larabanga Mosque and the Mystic Stone.
The President entreated beneficiary communities to help guarantee, sustain and protect the infrastructure as the government continues to provide socio-economic infrastructure across the country.
The President announced water projects that are underway, in response to the rising demand for water in the under-listed areas—Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area Water Supply Project in the Ashanti Region; Kpong Phase II in the Eastern Region; Tarkwa Water Supply Project in the Western Region; Sekondi Takoradi Water Supply Project in the Western Region.
Others are; Keta Water Supply Project in the Volta Region; Techiman Water Supply Project in the Bono East Region; Sunyani Water Supply Project in the Bono Region; Wenchi Water Supply Project in the Bono Region; and Assin Fosu Water Supply Project in the Central Region.
Rex Mainoo Yeboah, ISD
