Koforidua, April 4, GNA- Individuals and organisations affected by the on-going Koforidua water project are to receive two forms of compensations for land and crops being destroyed in the process. Identities and entries of the affected persons or groups have been made and moneys released to that effect had been deposited at the Lands Valuation Board pending approval for the payment. The Project Manager, Mr Allan Okomeng-Mensah, who was briefing the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, on progress of work said apart from the compensation all those affected would also be factored in the project for free flow of water. He said Asesewa would not enjoy from the water project because it needed additional four water boosters which was not captured but hinted that the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), in collaboration with the Ghana Water Company were designing a module to supply them with water. Mr. Okomeng-Mensah told the Regional Minister that despite the progress, demands from the Ghana Highway Authority and the Municipal Assembly in tampering with their property in the cause of the pipes being laid were delaying the project. He said the highlights of the project were the building of a new water reservoir which would operate on fixed and floating intakes which has its own solar census to pump water in the dry season. The 24.8 kilometre water project when completed would provide 4.7 gallons of water per day as against 1.5 to Koforidua and the surrounding towns including Tafo and its environs and Osiem, ending decades of water shortage in those areas.

Responding, Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo said he was happy with the progress of work on the project, especially the provision made for water to be sufficient for industries adding that it was a real booster to the positioning of the region to become the next investments destination. Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo called for an urgent meeting with all stakeholders and development authorities to see how best they could collaborate to facilitate the progress of the project. He also stressed the need for Asesewa being a district capital and its population size to have access to water to facilitate the administration of the district since without water people with expertise would not accept postings to the area. The Regional Minister suggested that with the project getting to Osiem considerations should be made to extend it to Bosuso, a few kilometres from Osiem which had also depended on boreholes for a long time.