Thursday, December 9, 2010

Sustainable water and sanitation project launched in Tamale


Ghana government in partnership with the World Bank has launched a $77.34 million project on sustainable water and sanitation for extension of water and sanitation services to about 600,000 people living in rural communities in 54 selected districts in six regions of Ghana.

The five year project when completed will among other interventions help eradicate poverty and water borne diseases that are prevalent in the three northern regions, Brong Ahafo, Central and the Western Regions.
Speaking at the official launch, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing warned that his ministry will no longer tolerate shoddy work executed by contractors and urged consultants and contractors of the new project to ensure they do an excellent job.

He said the Auditor General’s Department would be tasked to monitor ongoing projects under the Ministry of Works and Housing to ensure that the funding will not be misappropriated.
Mr Bagbin noted that the project when successfully executed will contribute significantly to the attainment of the 2015 Millennium Development Goals target coverage of 56% to 75% in water and sanitation in Ghana.
The former Majority Leader pleaded with residents of the beneficiary communities to own the projects and maintain them as required.

Mr Bagbin thanked the International Development Agency under the auspices of the World Bank for footing almost 90% of the project cost.

In a speech read on his behalf, Mr. Moses Bukari Mabengba, Northern Regional Minister also commended the Canadian International Development Agency and the UNICEF for their pioneering role in the delivery of safe water and sanitation in the region.

The main objective of the Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation Project is to expand access and ensure the sustainable water supply and sanitation services to rural and small town communities in six regions of Ghana.
The project will be in three components comprising the Rural and Small Town Water Supply which will cost $47.6 million, the Rural and Small Town Integrated Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion estimated at $18.6 million as well as Institutional Strengthening and Project Management which will cost $11.1 million.

About 1,200 boreholes fitted with hand pumps would be provided and an additional 40 limited mechanized water supply systems for communities in the population range of 1,200 and 5,000 will be covered.
The project will also cover the rehabilitation of 400 broken down boreholes in rural communities in the northern region.
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