Construction of a modern and improved water system for Nalerigu and Walewale, in Mamprugu in the Northern Region is to commence in September, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced.

The Commencement of the project, he said, was a fulfilment of a pledge he made to the people last year.

President Akufo-Addo made the revelation on Saturday at a durbar held in his honour at Nalerigu by the overlord of Mamprugu, the Nayiri, Na Bohogu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga.

He had, in his tour, last year, of the Northern Region, told the Nayiri and the people of Mamprugu that his government was in the process of procuring a $45 million facility from the World Bank to provide water in rural areas for six (6) regions, of which Mamprugu was to be a beneficiary.

“So, I am here today to inform you that the improved water system in Nalerigu, Gambaga and Walewale will start in September this year, two months from now. 35,000 gallons each will be added to the system in each and every town, and also new boreholes are going to be drilled to add more water,” the President said.

He assured that “all the pipelines are going to be replaced, so that we can bring water to all households. And, with the beginning of the work in September, Mamprugu will definitely get an improved water system.”

President Akufo-Addo further stated that the community toilet project, which was being rolled out by the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives, would provide some 5,000 household toilets nationwide this year.

“We are determined to fulfil the 1-toilet-1-household commitment that we made, and the Mamprugu area is going to receive about 300 toilets each, from Nalerigu, Gambaga and Walewale, and a total of 1,000 household toilets are going to be constructed in this area to improve sanitation,” he said.

The President was confident that “by the grace of the Almighty and our hard work, open defecation in Ghana is going to be a thing of the past”.

On the erratic nature of power supply in the area, the President noted that the transmission line that served Nalerigu from Yendi was too long, and resulted in problems that interrupted power supply.

“The decision has been taken to remove the line from Nalerigu to Garu, and as things will have it, poles were brought yesterday (Friday) to begin the work. Very soon, I think that erratic power supply will be a thing of the past,” he assured.

The President indicated that with the on-going 434 electrification projects in the Northern Region, East Mamprusi was going to receive 80 of such projects.

Touching on seismic exploration being carried out in the Voltaian Basin by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, which was affecting areas in the Northern Region including Nanton, West Mamprusi, Central Gonja and Mion districts, President Akufo-Addo explained that its purpose was to unearth the hydrocarbon potential of the basin.

“It is disturbing and I know it will disturb some people in some communities. It may even go through some farms, but I am imploring you, and all the citizenry of Mamprugu, to co-operate with these activities.

“They are not meant to disturb you, they are meant to help all of us at the end. So, when they come, and they (geologists) are doing their work, support them, allow them to do their work because, at the end of the day, you are going to be the principal beneficiaries. We are finding important deposits of oil in the area,” he said