Accra, Nov. 7, GNA - Laying of pipelines and construction of reservoirs for the efficient distribution of water in Western Accra has begun. PVC pipelines are being laid from Sowutuom to Ofankor and Amasaman and a reinforced concrete reservoir is being constructed at Asofaa and a booster station at Sowutuom.

The Project scheduled for completion by November 2004 to enable the Ga District Capital, Amasaman and its environs to have potable water.

An agreement between the Ghana Water Company Limited and the Community Water and Sanitation Association would then begin to hook communities in and around Amasaman to the main line to enable them to enjoy potable water.

Dr Charles Brempong-Yeboah, Deputy Minister Works and Housing, said this on Friday in Parliament when Mr Ernest Attuquaye Armah, NDC- Ga South asked what plans the Ministry had to provide pipe-borne water to Amasaman and surrounding towns and communities.

He said Government considered the provision of potable water as a critical element for the sustainable development of the country and was, therefore, committed to ensuring that all communities had access to good water.

The Minister said the Ministry has, therefore, initiated a number of measures to improve efficiency of water delivery and one of such measures was the a contract agreement signed in 2001 between the GWCL and Vermeer BV (now Ballast Nedam Ghana BV) for the distribution improvement of the Western Accra area and the Weija Dam remedial works. He said actual work commenced in November 2002 and the scope of work included the laying of 300 millimetres PVC distribution line covering a distance of 14,320 metres and a 750-metre reinforced concrete reservoir and a booster station.

Mr Armah asked why the contractor had neglected many excavated lands at Ofankor that had water collected in them and thus posing danger to children and the Minister said corrective measures would be taken very soon.

Mr Brandford Adu, NPP-Okere, asked about what the Ministry was doing to assist communities that were near main pipelines but were not having potable water and the Minister said the Community Water and Sanitation Programme would take care of those communities.