Govt undertakes 30 projects to increase water supply

The government is undertaking 30 projects across the country to increase water supply in urban and rural areas.

Some of the projects, including the Kpong Water Project, are expected to be completed by the end of 2014.

A deputy minister of Information and Media Relations, Mr Felix Ofosu Kwakye, told journalists at the media briefing yesterday that the projects, estimated at $700 million, were expected to be completed by the end of 2014.

He said the projects were meant to increase access to potable water in urban areas from 63 to 85 per cent and in rural areas from 64 to 76 per cent by 2015.

Mr Ofosu Kwakye said the $273 million Kpong Water Project, which was expected to produce 40 million gallons of water per day, was 73 per cent complete, while the Kpong Water Intake Rehabilitation Project was also 63 per cent complete.

He said the Accra-Tema Water Support, which was expected to produce nine million gallons of water per day, and another water project for five towns in the Eastern Region with 1.5 million gallons daily, was 95 per cent complete.

Answering a question on whether the government would be reducing water tariff following the 25 per cent reduction in electricity tariff, the deputy minister said what was discussed between the government and the other stakeholders was electricity tariff.

Mr Ofosu Kwakye said the government felt that the decision to absorb the 25 per cent electricity tariff for consumers was the best for now.

He also said despite the challenge, the government was committed to raising the $400 million to subsidise the cost of electricity.