Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
CABINET HAS approved a €233 million facility for the construction of Tamale and Damongo water supply projects.
Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah revealed this to journalists in Accra yesterday.
He said the approval was made at the 54th meeting of Cabinet, and Parliament was expected to equally approve the loan facility for the project to commence.
According to him, an estimated 800,000 people in the Northern and Savannah regions are expected to benefit from the project when completed.
The existing water supply system for Tamale and its environs was constructed in 1972 with some expansion works carried out in 2008.
However, the minister said, “As a result of the rapidly growing population, demand has outstripped supply compelling the Ghana Water Company to embark on ration supply in these areas.”
He disclosed that “this new project is aimed at addressing the supply constraints for Tamale and its surrounding communities, as well as achieving the GOG target of water for all by 2030.”
The scope of work for the project covers the construction of a new water treatment plant with pumps and transmission pipelines, pumping station, new district offices in Tamale and installation of dedicated power lines, he disclosed.
Additionally, the minister said that water asset management would be improved through the provision and laying of primary distribution network, service connection materials and training of staff.
“The project is financed by an export credit facility from a number of institutions led by Deutsche Bank,” he revealed.
BY Melvin Tarlue