162 Views Posted on 03-Mar-2011 under Environment

The third Pro-Poor Pilot facility under the World Bank’s Urban Water Project has been handed over to the Nima community in Accra.
The facility which involves the construction of seven concrete platforms with 10 thousand litre jumbo storage tanks installed on them is a way of getting safe and quality water supply to households in Urban and peri-urban communities at affordable prices.
The Nima project involves 14-10 thousand litre jumbo water storage tanks, two each located at seven vantage points within the community at a cost of GH42, 684.
The Member of Parliament for East Ayawaso, Dr. Mustapha Ahmed, who was the guest of honour appealed to partners in the water sector, both public and private to assist government in solving the acute water problem.
Dr. Mustapha Ahmed who is also Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing said water supplies to urban communities have not kept pace with demand and this accounts for the 70 million gallons deficit water to consumers.
This, he noted, has created the challenges faced by Nima and its environs in the supply of safe water.
Dr. Mustapha Ahmed appealed to members of the community to take good care of the facility to expose illegal connections and people who build underground water storage tanks.
The Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission, PURC, Stephen Adu, said the pilot project which is a collaboration of the PURC, Water Aid Ghana, the Ghana Water Company Limited and government will be extended to other communities when successful.
Already, two other communities, Teshie-Nshorna and Glefe in the Greater Accra Region have benefited from the project.
Mr. Adu said the aim of the project is to ensure good practices in the provision of safe drinking water with community participation.