Executive Secretary of GACC, Beauty Emefa Narteh, is calling on every stakeholder in the country to have zero tolerance for corruption.

[contextly_sidebar id=”4GA6ivylhA7M3waxXaTfdCH7cR4BcOsN”]The Coalition believes that if stringent monitoring mechanisms are put in place at the local and national levels, corruption can be prevented.

Speaking to Citi News to mark this year’s World Water Day on the theme ‘Nature For Water’, Executive Secretary of GACC, Beauty Emefa Narteh, said individuals engaged in all forms of illegal acts in the sector must be punished.

“People who are found culpable of illegal connection should be punished because that is one of the challenges we have in this country. When people perpetuate acts and they are not punished, then it makes corruption a gainful venture, ”she said.

The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) in 2015 vowed to wage war on people engaged in illegal water connection.

It thus appealed for strong public support, and announced a reward package to people who would volunteer information to the company, leading to the arrest of the offenders.

GWCL cited many instances where water meters installed were tampered with to distort the meter reading in order for the beneficiaries to evade the payment of the correct bills for the water consumed.

They had stepped up efforts to deal with these illegalities, and had set up a “Laws Control Team” to move from house-to-house to disconnect services which did not have proper documentation.

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post GACC urges gov’t to deal with corruption in water sector appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The company recently announced a significant improvement in the water situation, but that has been short-lived due to worsening pollution caused by illegal miners.

[contextly_sidebar id=”5ep2izl7QQjgv5to8ajxF4PjThGMFPZv”]According to the Western Regional Communications Manager of the company, Nana Yaw Barnie, the situation has led to continuous water rationing in most parts of the region.

“Whenever we enter the dry season, water becomes a problem because we do not have enough raw water for treatment, so that is what is happening now. We started rationing water in January and we are still rationing, we have a problem due to various factors such as galamsey,”he said.

He noted that galamsey is still very much alive in the Western Region despite ongoing efforts by the government to end it.

He indicated that, a report on water quality has shown that the colour quality of water bodies in the in region had decreased from 3000-900 Hazen Unit (HU)  in 2017, but this year, it has seen its worst increase of over 4000HU.

Citi News can confirm that some communities in the Wassa Akropong and Amenfi Districts of the Western Region are still engaged in illegal mining activities along water bodies.

This is in spite of a ban placed on all forms of small-scale mining and an intensified government effort to end illegal mining.

Figures from the Ghana Water Company Limited revealed that the Western Region is losing a total of 5.3 millions gallons of water daily due to the increased activities of illegal miners in the Pra River.

This means over half of the company’s customer base of 31,327 are denied potable drinking water on daily basis.

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post W/Region: Illegal mining to blame for water rationing – GWCL appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Speaking at a forum organized by Safe Water Network, the Minister underscored the need for accessible water to all, insisting the necessary mechanisms are being put in place.

[contextly_sidebar id=”NpYL2yg6u23T0355ZvtnEOAYLGv4PKuY”]“Access to basic social service including water supply remains a key prior for government, and we are committed to achieving our vision of providing safe reliable water for all as part of our agenda.”

He said government is addressing all the operational, technical and financial barriers to make water accessible to all.

“Experience from partners such as Safe Water Network has taught us that having water facilities alone is not enough, but facilities have to deliver safe, reliable and affordable water service,” he added.

Mr. Kofi Adda and management of Ghana Water Company Limited  GWCL were expected to brief the Parliamentary Select Committee on Works and Housing Committee on the water situation in the country, and also outline plans put in place to address the problem last month.

Late in January, GWCL announced that water supply in most parts of the country was to be rationed to ensure equitable distribution.

According to the company, it was experiencing some challenges with water supply in Accra and most parts of the country due to the onset of the dry season.

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonlie.com/Ghana

The post Efforts underway to provide potable water for all – Kofi Adda appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Managing Director of the GWCL, Dr. Clifford Braimah disclosed his administration’s intention to the media when members of the GWCL’s Governing Board toured the Dalun water treatment plant which serves the entire Tamale Metropolitan Area and beyond.

He maintained that the GWCL could no longer tolerate the activities of recalcitrant sand winners around the banks of the White Volta, hence the move to deploy national security operatives to the area.

[contextly_sidebar id=”XMT4SyYgT95WqTSgcNC9WPEIbZPLQl8f”]Dr. Clifford Braimah said about 54 percent of the overall total water supply to the Northern Region could not be accounted for.

He attributed the problem to illegal connections and customers deliberate refusal to pay their bills.

“Alot of people are doing illegal connections and so we want to get them to stop. If you have a neighbour who is refusing to pay or doing illegal connection, if I’m calculating my tarriff, I see the water that he’s using as unaccounted for”, he explained.

The uncontrolled sand winning activities overtime has destroyed farmlands and the ecosystem along the river banks.

As a result, the depth of the river has drastically reduced over the years due to silts which have incapacitated its water holding ability.

The silting of the river is threatening its future capacity to supply the required volumes of water supply to over 500,000 residents of five districts in the Northern Region.

The shallowness of the river has also resulted into perennial flooding of communities along its banks which sometimes lead to loss of lives and property.

Meanwhile, upgrading of the Yendi and Damongo water projects will commence by mid-2018.

Dr. Clifford Braimah said the contracts have been signed awaiting financial clearance by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MoFEP).

The GWCL Governing Board also visited the Tono and the Vea water treatment plants that serve Navrongo and the Bolgatanga Municipalities in the Upper East Region.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline/Ghana

The post National security operatives to guard White Volta river – GWCL appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This means that only 3.9 million Ghanaians have access to drinking water from an improved water source that is located on premises, available when needed and free from faecal and priority chemical contamination – the standard SDG requirement.

$11.3bn investment need in 8 years
[contextly_sidebar id=”2ushAMmQmckQY5hq4mWA01kizIpWp31H”]To address the situation and meet the water SDG, Ghana will have to invest over $11.3 billion ($11,352 million) from this year to 2030.

$946m each year
This means that each year, Ghana has to invest $946 million between 2018 and 2025.
Analysis of data from the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply and Sanitation by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF), reflected in the 2017 Ghana Sector Review by Safe Water Network, paints a disturbing picture.

The JMP has been monitoring global progress since 1990 and is responsible for reporting on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets and indicators related to WASH.

Current $114m annual investment inadequate
With current sector funding at $114 million a year, this leaves a significant funding gap to achieve universal access.

Basic coverage short of SDG benchmarks
To provide basic coverage for all by 2025 short of SDG requirements, as outlined in Ghana’s Water Sector Strategic Development Plan (2012-2025), requires a capital investment of $327 million a year between now and 2025.

This will translate into $2.6 billion ($2, 616million), covering 2018 to 2025.

Safely managed water – 7.3m (7,363,645) population
The data reveals that over 7.3m (7,363,645) Ghanaians get their drinking water from an improved water source that is located on premises, available when needed and free from faecal and priority chemical contamination.

Basic water – 13.9m (13,961,060) population
In the same vein, 13.9m (13,961,060) Ghanaians receive drinking water from an improved source, where provided collection time is not more than 30 minutes for a round trip, including queuing.

Limited water – 2.9m (2, 921,704) population
According to the analysis, 2.9m (2,921,704) people in Ghana depend on drinking water from an improved source, for which collection time exceeds 30 minutes for a round trip, including queuing.

Unimproved – 1.4m (1,443,469) population

The compiled data shows that 1.4m (1,443,469) Ghanaians get their drinking water from an unprotected dug well or unprotected spring.

Surface water – 1.7m (1, 720, 014) population
Ghanaians who get their drinking water directly from a river, dam, lake, pond, stream, canal or irrigation canal are 1.7m (1,720,014) in number.

GWCL begins rationing water
The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has begun rationing water in most parts of the country as a result of the dry season, environmental degradation and pollution of water bodies by illegal miners.

Those activities, the company said, had derailed its efforts at extracting enough water for treatment, accounting for the inadequate supply of water to consumers.

With the exception of the Eastern and Ashanti regions, all the regions have been affected by the rationing, with the Western Region being the worst affected.

The GWCL advised the public to immediately report all burst pipes and leakages to the nearest GWCL district offices, customer service centres, fault offices or via the GWCL customer application.

Oil companies in Ghana import water from Ivory Coast
International oil companies in the Jubilee field have resorted to importing potable water from Cote d’Ivoire and Benin due to the inability of the Ghana Water Company (GWC) in the Western Region to meet water supply demands.

The GWC has said its inability to supply adequate water to communities in its catchment area is due partly to the activities of galamsey operators.

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Source: Elvis DARKO/The Finder

The post Ghana needs to invest $11.3bn in 8-yrs to close water deficit appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Residents of Adentan and other areas in Accra which have challenges with water supply usually patronize these private takers who sell water they obtain from mostly unknown sources.

The situation has placed people who buy water from private water distributors at risk.

There have been suggestions that the water from these tankers is taken from wells and other unhygienic locations for sale to the unsuspecting public.

[contextly_sidebar id=”7shjgZHQc7i2rYoVNGCcTOFvsWnD2feZ”]However, the GWCL, which is responsible for ensuring the supply of potable water to all urban communities, has said it cannot control the private distributors.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, the Head of Communications at GWCL, Stanley Martey said that although they are unable to control the activities of the operators of these private tankers, they have tried to sensitise them on the need to acquire the water they sell from hygienic sources.

“What we do is to interact with them to know the essence of getting water from the right source but as to whether some of them are going by the education we give them that we cannot tell and we cannot enforce. And water is such that if there are germs or unwanted bacteria in the water, it will be very difficult to tell with the naked eye.”

“So we let them know the essence of getting water from the right source and the essence of getting your tankers disinfected regularly. So we are in touch with all the tanker association and we do that on regular basis,” he said.

When asked if there is an approved source for the tankers to get water from, the GWCL spokesperson said it should be “from a Ghana Water company approved hydrant or approved point” but admitted they don’t have control over where the tankers get their water from.

“That is why I’m saying that we do not have control over that so with that we only educate them on the essence of doing the right thing.”

GWCL to ration water as dry season affects supply
Mr. Martey made the remark on the back of the ongoing water rationing in parts of the country.

According to the Ghana Water Company Limited, they are experiencing some challenges with water supply in Accra and most parts of the country due to the onset of the dry season, and that “the situation has led to intermittent water supply in most cities and towns in the country.”

A statement released by the management of GWCL last week advised the general public to be measured in their consumption of water while the Water Company addresses the challenges.

“It must be emphasized that during this season, a number of consumers resort to the use of treated water for keeping lawns green, for commercial washing of vehicles etc. The dry season is on and consumers with greater dependence on rainwater have also compounded the problem by taking to treated water use. These practices ease the pressures in the pipelines thereby causing low pressure and no flow in some areas, especially areas located in high elevations.”
“Management of GWCL is very much concerned about the serious impact of the water situation in the country and wish to assure the general public that, the company is working assiduously to undertake the necessary steps aimed at improving the water delivery in the Country,” the statement added.

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By: Eugenia Tenkorang/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We can’t regulate private water tankers – GWCL appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the Ghana Water Company Limited, they are experiencing some challenges with water supply in Accra and most parts of the country due to the onset of the dry season, and that “the situation has led to intermittent water supply in most cities and towns in the country.”

A statement released by the management of GWCL advised the general public to be measured in their consumption of water while the Water Company addresses the challenges.

[contextly_sidebar id=”MszwHBvVaVYBbtRtDCHQJOEbkx0vWtt8″]“It must be emphasized that during this season, a number of consumers resort to the use of treated water for keeping lawns green, for commercial washing of vehicles etc. The dry season is on and consumers with greater dependence on rainwater have also compounded the problem by taking to treated water use. These practices ease the pressures in the pipelines thereby causing low pressure and no flow in some areas, especially areas located in high elevations.”

“Management of GWCL is very much concerned about the serious impact of the water situation in the country and wish to assure the general public that, the company is working assiduously to undertake the necessary steps aimed at improving the water delivery in the Country,” the statement added.

GWCL further advised consumers to cease indiscriminate watering of lawns with treated water, be moderate in the use of treated water for car washing by using buckets instead of hosing, shut all taps when not in use, repair all leakages in your homes, like overflowing reservoirs and dripping taps, valves, etc, and also report all burst pipes and leakages immediately to the nearest GWCL district offices, Customer Service.

“Management of GWCL, wishes to advice the general public that it is doing its utmost best to solve the water situation in the country, but as patriotic citizens, we need to desist from Antisocial and unacceptable behaviors like the use of in-line pumps, illegal connections, and by passes. Let us pay our bills promptly and help GWCL to serve you better,” the statement noted.

Whereas water shortages have been recorded in various parts of the country in recent times including, Koforidua, Kumasi, Tamale, Sunyani among others, not much of that has been experienced for a longer period in Accra.

Below is the full statement from GWCL:

Dry season water conservation

The Management of Ghana Water Company Limited wishes to announce that with the onset of the dry season, we are experiencing some challenges with water supply in Accra and most parts of the country.

We are sorry to inform the consuming public that, the situation has led to intermittent water supply in most Cities and Towns in the country.

It must be emphasized that during this season, a number of consumers resort to the use of treated water for keeping lawns green, for commercial washing of vehicles etc. The dry season is on and consumers with greater dependence on rainwater have also compounded the problem by taking to treated water use. These practices ease the pressures in the pipelines thereby causing low pressure and no flow in some areas, especially areas located in high elevations.

Management of GWCL is very much concerned about the serious impact of the water situation in the Country and wish to assure the general public that, the company is working assiduously to undertake the necessary steps aimed at improving the water delivery in the Country.

To help the company through this critical period, consumers are advised to strictly observe the following water conservation measures:

• Cease indiscriminate watering of lawns with treated water,
• Moderate the use of treated water for car washing through the use of buckets

Instead of hosing,

• shut all taps when not in use,
• Repair all leakages in your homes, like overflowing reservoirs and dripping taps, valves, etc
• Report all burst pipes and leakages immediately to the nearest GWCL district offices, Customer Service centres, Fault Offices, and via the GWCL customer App which is also available on google playstore on android cell phones and applestore on iPhones and Tablets or GWCL whatsapp lines (0555123393, 0555155524, 0207385088, 0207385089, 0207385090. You can google locations, pictures and videos of the burst
• Report all persons engaged in illegal connections, by-passes, and all malpractices against GWCL

Management of GWCL, wishes to advice the general public that it is doing its utmost best to solve the water situation in the country but as patriotic citizens, we need to desist from Antisocial and unacceptable behaviors like the use of in-line pumps, illegal connections, and by passes. Let us pay our bills promptly and help GWCL to serve you better.

The cooperation of the general public is greatly appreciated.

–

By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post GWCL to ration water as dry season affects supply appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to them, they received water two or three days in a week and it comes at dawn making life unbearable for them.

Others also complain bitterly about the quality of the water, lamenting that it has a brownish colour with an unpleasant smell and poses serious health risks to them.

The Ghana Water Company directed the shutdown of the plant effective January 1, 2018 for the renegotiation of the contractual agreement between the company and the managers of the plant, Messrs Befessa.

The statement further indicated that the Accra and Tema Booster stations will serve as alternative water sources for the affected areas.

Some of the affected areas include Teshie, Nungua, Sakumuno, Laashibi, Communities 16,17 and 18Adorgono, Baatsona, Coastal Estates, Greda Estates, Regimanuel Estates, all of Spintex Road and surrounding communities.

ABOUT THE DESALINATION PLANT

The Accra seawater desalination plant is located at Nungua in the Kpeshie district and is the first desalination plant built in Ghana.The plant started commercial operation in March 2015 and was officially inaugurated in April 2015.

The $125m project has a capacity to desalinate 60,000m³ of sea water daily providing fresh water to more than 300,000 people in various municipalities of the Greater Accra administrative region.

It marks a significant step in improving drinking water facilities in the country, which is witnessing rapid population growth.

The plant was designed, constructed and is being operated by Befesa Desalination Developments Ghana, a joint venture of Abengoa Water Investments Ghana, Daye Water Investment (Ghana), and local partner Hydrocol.

Befesa operates and is supposed to maintain the plant for 25 years. Construction started in November 2012, creating 400 direct and indirect jobs in the region.

Citi News’ Anass Seidu visited some of the affected areas and filed this report.

Click below for the full report:

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By: Anass Seidu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Teshie, Nungua residents struggle for water [Audio report] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Deputy Managing Director is to be in charge of Special Projects, but PUWU argues that the appointment is needless and a duplication of roles.

In a resolution on the matter, forwarded to the Minister of Water and Sanitation, a copy of which is available to Citi News, the Union called for the appointment to be halted.

[contextly_sidebar id=”TiFbWI8BVSyYsxfQlmIyrfSzYxbsGoke”]“The appointment of a Deputy Managing Director (special projects), is a needless duplication of duties and a recipe for confusion at the top hierarchy of the company. The financial cost associated with this appointment however the quantum, is an avoidable cost.”

PUWU in the resolution signed by its General Secretary, Michael Adumatta Nyantakyi, said most companies, in the 21^st century, are taking strategic steps to “reduce the bureaucratic layers at the top” and that the appointment of the third Deputy Managing Director when there are people already occupying similar positions “is not in line with best practices for corporate governance.”

“That currently the company has a managing director (Engineer-PhD); Deputy Managing Director – Operations (Civil Engineer); Deputy Managing Director (Finance and Administration); Chief Manager – Operations (Engineer); Chief Manager – Water Resources (Civil Engineer); Chief Manager Projects, Planning & Development (Civil Engineer); and Manager Projects (Engineer Civil). With these, comes the appointment of a Deputy Managing Director – Special Projects (Engineer). The question that begs for answer is what are the supposedly Special Projects that GWCL is embarking on which requirements are beyond the caliber of the company’s existing engineers?”

“That the company, as it exists now, has two Deputy Managing Directors, one in charge of Operations and the other in charge of Finance and Administration. Therefore, to ensure harmony at the top and engender good industrial atmosphere, the union do hereby appeal to the appointing authority, as a matter of urgency to take a second and critical look at the appointment of a DMD (Special Projects) for GWCL,” the union added.

Terminate Teshie Desalination Water Plant contract

PUWU had earlier called for the termination of the Teshie Desalination Water Plant contract, arguing that the current state of the plant renders it unprofitable.

The Ghana Water Company, is losing huge sums of money by selling water from the plant at cheaper prices to residents of Teshie Nungua and its environs.

Their demand comes regardless of a caution from operators of the water plant, Hydrocol, that the said termination will cost government about US $ 123 million.

The Deputy General Secretary of PUWU, Richard Nyaaba, who made the demand on behalf of the Union on Eyewitness News, said their demands had become necessary, given what it describes as the “heavy financial burden” it is places on the GWCL.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey & Sixtus D. Ullo/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post PUWU opposes 3rd deputy MD for Ghana Water Company appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The investigation is to ascertain whether the GWCL and Ghanaians were not short-changed in the deal.

[contextly_sidebar id=”dGa50ezlWZN9dhGOEq9rxzfGgkvpiZ9w”]According to PUWU, the project, which was signed between the Ghana Water Company and an engineering firm; Messrs Befassa has “seriously weakened the capacity of GWCL to deliver on its mandate.”

Explaining the current challenges the company is battling with due to this project, PUWU explained in a statement that “GWCL buys water from the desalination plant at GHC 6.50 per cubic meter, and sells it to customers at the PURC approved tariff of GHC 1.50”, leaving a “GHC 5.00 loss” for the GWCL.

It added that the “GWCL pays the invoice amount in US Dollars even though it sells the water in Ghana cedis, thereby accumulating more losses as a result of exchange differentials.”

Another strange provision in the contract, according to PUWU “is the price indexation which is tied to local inflation although the invoice and payment to the private operator is in the United States Dollars.”

Citing more examples to support its claim, PUWU recalled that “in 2015, GWCL paid to Befassa a total of US $ 1.8 million, leaving an outstanding indebtedness of US$ 13.9 million. In 2016, even though GWCL was making negative cash flow of about GHC 7.2 million a month, the company was compelled to pay Befessa a total of US $ 23.7 million, leaving an outstanding indebtedness of US $ 8.1 million. As at the end of September 2017 , GWCL had paid a total of US$ 12.9 million to Befessa , leaving an outstanding indebtedness of US $ 7.2 million. The company continued to make a net negative cash flow of an average of GHC 6.02 million per month.”

These expenditures according to PUWU, has left GWCL in a “precarious position” affecting its cash flow operations and expansion works.

According to PUWU, “there is no doubt that this agreement between GWCL and Messrs Befessa is not only obnoxious, but also “beats common business sense as it appears to be a case of a giant conspiracy between foreign investors and their local collaborators and some public officials, with political influence, to loot the public entity like GWCL and share the proceeds among themselves under the guise of a private sector investment or private public partnership.”

PUWU has also called on government to “take over the financial commitments and transaction losses suffered by GWCL” in the purchase and sale of water from the desalination plant, to save the company from potential collapse.

Background

In 2011, the Government of Ghana awarded a contract to Befesa Desalination Development Ghana for the establishment of the sea water treatment plant to produce clean water, which will be channeled into the pipelines of GWCL.

Messrs Befesa Limited, an engineering firm, was contracted by the government to build the desalination plant, operate to defray its cost, and hand over to the GWCL after 25 years.

The project was executed by Abengoa, a Spanish company, and Sojitz Corporation, Japan’s largest importer of rare earth metals.

The two hold a 94% equity in the project. The plant was designed, constructed and is being operated by Befesa Desalination Developments Ghana, a joint venture of Abengoa Water Investments Ghana, Daye Water Investment (Ghana), and their local partner Hydrocol.

What were the issues?

Some industry insiders had told Citi News that there was no need to have established the Teshie Water Desalination plant because around the same time, the Kpong Water Treatment plant was being expanded to supply over 40 million gallons of water to the Accra East Region.

It was estimated that at its peak, the Kpong Plant could produce about 80 million gallons of water per day, and that could take care of consumers in the catchment area. The retrofitting of the Kpong Plant cost the taxpayer about $273 million.

However, a strong case was made for the Teshie Desalination plant with reference to the fact that the demand for the catchment area stood at 160 million gallons of water a day. Therefore, the government gave the project the needed push to see its execution.

Resistance to the project

The Teshie and Nungua areas have had water challenges for years and because of inadequate water volumes, the Ghana Water Company Limited for years undertook water rationing.

The introduction of the Desalination plant was to ensure 13 million gallons of water was produced per day, to eliminate rationing and ensure consumers got quality and affordable water.

But a bigger problem persisted for GWCL, which is the off-taker under the Water Purchasing Agreement between Ghana and Befesa.

A consolidation of all the costs meant that, Ghana Water was buying the water at about GHc 6.5 per cubic meter, and selling at the regulated PURC rate of about GHc 1.5 per cubic meter.

This arrangement meant that the GWCL was losing about GHc 5 for every cubic meter of water sold from the Teshie Desalination Plant.

Citi News’ checks had also indicated that the  GWCL was losing GHc 6 million monthly by operating the Desalination Plant.

The checks showed that the GWCL was making payments of GHc 8 million a month to the financiers of the project, although it made only GHc 2 million by supplying treated water from the plant.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post Investigate gov’t officials over ‘unprofitable’ desalination plant – PUWU appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.