President John Dramani Mahama with Ndan Ya Na Abukari II in Yendi
President John Dramani Mahama has assured residents of the North that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government will solve the Yendi and Tamale water crisis.
The Tamale metropolis and the Yendi municipality have been hit with a severe water crisis that has significantly disrupted economic activities, forcing residents to purchase water from tanker contractors.
This situation has severely impacted businesses, including restaurants, schools, hospitals, and homes among others.
Residents threatened to embark on a demonstration against the management of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) due to the worsening water crisis in the region.
Ing. Albert Nyeteng, the Regional Production Manager of GWCL, has indicated that the current water demand in Tamale is 90,000 m³, while production levels are only between 35,000 m³ and 38,000 m³, adding that the discrepancy has necessitated the implementation of water rationing in Tamale and its environs.
He indicated that a long-term solution to the water crisis lies in the construction of the Yapei Water Project.
Addressing the gathering at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi during a visit to the King of Dagbon as part of his thank you tour of the Northern Region, President Mahama said the water issues in Tamale and Yendi are his priorities, adding that he will work tirelessly to ensure that the crisis is resolved.
“There are two important water projects that we intend to undertake during my tenure, thus Yendi and Tamale water supply projects. Ndan Ya Na, I can assure you that by the time I come to say goodbye after my tenure, Yendi will have enough water supply,” he disclosed.
He disclosed that government intends to draw water from Yapei in the Savannah Region to the Northern Region to solve the water crisis.
“My intention is to draw water from the south of Tamale as far as Yapei on the White Volta and bring that water through Tamale South to supplement the water from Dalun, so that we can increase the amount of water Tamale is getting,” the President stated.
He disclosed that the Water Treatment Plant at Dalun will be renovated to ensure efficient water supply.
“We are going to renovate the Water Treatment Plant at Dalun, so that additional clean drinking water can be pumped to Tamale,” he added.
FROM Eric Kombat, Yendi