The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has cut sod for work to begin on the construction of the Damongo Water Supply Project in the Savannah Region.
The USD49 million Water Supply Project, being financed by the UK Export Finance and Bank is aimed at supplying portable water to the people of Damongo Township and its surrounding communities.
Speaking at a sod cutting ceremony in Damongo,
the President noted that
Savannah region is bless with abundant natural resources and tourist attraction sites such as the mole national park, the Larabanga mosque and the mystic stone however, lack portable water has hinder development in the area.
He said one of the reasons for the creation of regions is to accelerate the process of development in all parts of the country and this ceremony is an indication of government’s readiness to deliver on that vision.
President Akuffo – Addo disclosed that the existing Damongo water supply system was based on abstraction from an irrigation dam however, since 2005 the plant has not been operational due to siltation issues resulting from unfavourable climatic conditions. This has compel the people of Damongo to rely on private hand dug wells and boreholes fitted with hand pumps for their water needs.
Due to these difficulties as well as considerable increase in population growth, government has secured a credit facility of USD 49m from a UK Export Finance, and Deutsche Bank
to construct a befitting water supply system to meet water demands of Damongo Township and its surrounding communities he said.
The project is estimated to supply water to 68,000 people with an average demand of Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred (8,800) cubic metres of water daily.
He was optimistic that the project will improve living standards of the people and promote tourism in the area.
He entreated the beneficiary communities to help guarantee the sustainability and protection of the infrastructure.
He assured the people of government’s commitment to providing Socio – Economic infrastructure across the country so that Ghanaians can forfill the dreams and aspirations of our forefathers who envisioned us to be a free Democratic, prosperous and happy Ghana.
He further assured the people of government’s commitment of protecting the water bodies that serves as the source of provision of portable water for our people. He said “We will continue to wave war and intensify our results against activities of galamsey, sand winning land framing along the banks of water bodies”.
The Damongo water project which is in line with government’s agenda of providing water for all will improve water supply in terms of quality, quantity, reliability and accessible to the people of Damongo and the surrounding communities.
Also, the availability of water will help in fight against covid 19 he added.
He urged everyone to adhere to the covid 19 protocols to help fight the virus.
President Akufo-Addo charged the contractor to complete the project on schedule and help deliver portable water to the beneficiary towns and communities.
Communities earmarked to benefit from the Project include Yipala, Banyasi, Ntereso, Fulfoso, Sumpini, Busunu, Kebiesu, Tailorpe, Alhassan Kura, Jonokponto, Achubunyo, Soalepe, Canteen, Frafra Settlement No.3, Broto and Nabori.
