$100m Loan for Techiman water expansion project not released — GWCL

The $100 million fund approved in 2019 for the Techiman water expansion project is yet to be released for the commencement of the project.

The water expansion project, which is projected to generate 17,000 cubic metres per day, is expected to serve 14 communities in the Bono East Region, as well as parts of the Ashanti and Bono regions.

The communities are Tanoso, New Techiman, Kuntunso, Tadieso, Ahansua, Tuobodom, Aworowa, Takofiano, Kenten, Krobo and Akrofrom in Bono East, and Nkekaasu, Akomadan and Afrancho in the Ashanti.

This came to light during a press conference organised by the GWCL at Techiman last Friday to deny rumours that the amount had been released but had been embezzled by some individuals, instead of its intended purpose. 

Increasing demand

The demand for water supply in the area has outgrown the current supply. At the moment, the GWCL can only produce 4,400 cubic metres per day, as against the demand for 15,230 cubic meters daily.

It was for this that the government in 2003, sought a $100 million loan from the Republic of Korea which was approved in 2019 for the project.

As part of the project, 6,500 cubic meters per day water storage reservoirs were also to be constructed, including a new dam and intake structure on the Tano River, and two pumping stations at Kuntunso and Tuobodom.

No disbursement

At the press conference, the Chief Manager of project Planning Development of GWCL, Francis Agyei-Boateng, said no disbursement of the fund had been made for the commencement of actual works.

He explained that the company and Messrs CHEIL-KECC-SAMAN JV of Korea, the consultants, were yet to even sign the final contract.

Mr Agyei-Boateng said the engineering design of the project and the selection of a contractor had also not been done.

"The disbursement of funds for the project, including the consulting services and the construction works, is yet to commence and we wish to state unequivocally that when the project commences, payments for services rendered by the consultant and works executed by the yet-to-be-chosen contractor will be made directly into their respective accounts by the Korean EximBank.

"And this is after it is certified by GWCL and submission of drawdown requests made to the bank by the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources and the Ministry of Finance," he said.

Originally constructed in 1997, the current Techiman water system with headworks located at Tanoso, Techiman, mainly gets its water from the Tano River to serve 14 surrounding communities.

Writer's email: biiya.ali@graphic.com.gh