Assakai (WR), Dec. 21, GNA - Residents of Assakai, Chapel Hill, New Takoradi, Bankye-ase, and Windy Ridge Extension, all suburbs of Takoradi, have appealed to management of Acqua-Vitens Rand, Operators of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to rectify the acute water shortage that has hit the areas over the past month.

They contended that it was affecting their operations since they had to walk for long distances to collect water for domestic and commercial activities.

Making the appeal through Ghana News Agency at Assakai near Takoradi, Madam Ekua Atta, a resident of Assakai said commercial users were mostly affected and compelled to rely on tanker and other water supply services, to get water to sustain their operations which was affecting economic growth and development in the affected areas. Miss Rammatu Mohammed, a student at Takoradi Polytechnic said after classes, she and other siblings had to walk long hours and join long queues for water for their household.

Mr Iranious Nyere Buule, Western Regional Engineer of GWC said residents of Assakai and other communities who depended on River Pra at Daboase were experiencing the shortage.

He said the location of some of the new communities, were making it difficult for water which passes through Inchaban, Effia and Takoradi to be distributed to other outlying towns and communities. Mr Buule said to rectify the situation, the headworks at Daboase should be desilted, while old water filters, pumps and other equipments replaced including a new alum plant.

He said to forestall frequent power interruptions, discussions between management of GWCL and Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) had been concluded and repair works were being undertaken on the main lines. Mr Buule urge the public to pay their water bills promptly to enable other residents enjoy services of GWCL. He reminded Ghanaians that without the requisite equipments, water quality and flow could be persistently disrupted.