Accra, Feb. 28, GNA- Government has sounded warning to saboteurs, including some staff of the Ghana Water Company that it would apply the full rigours of the law to any one found involved in illegal connections, which have affected the smooth flow of water in some communities.

Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Minister of Water Resources Works and Housing, announced in Parliament on Wednesday that one of the major problems affecting water supply in Madina, Adenta SNNIT Flats, is illegal connections and downright sabotage of the water distribution system.

Mr Owusu-Agyemang was answering questions on the water supply system in the Abokobi-Madina and Adenta areas in Accra, asked by Alhaji Amadu Sorogho, Member, NDC-Abokobi-Madina, and Mr Kwadjo Opare-Hammond, NPP-Adenta.

Alhaji Sorogho wanted to know when the perennial water problem facing the Abokobi-Madina Constituency, especially the Madina Constituency would be solved.

Mr. Owusu- Agyemang said population increase without any expansion of the Okponglo Booster Station Plant since it was commissioned in 1965 has affected the supply of water.

"Rationing of water is therefore undertaken in order to equitably distribute the available water to residents in the area", the Minister said.

However, power interruptions and low water pressures sometimes make rationing ineffective.

Mr. Owusu-Agyemang announced that a new 15 mgd plant at Weija is due for completion in 18 months would be connected to the Okponglo Booster Station to enable more water to be transferred for Accra West to the Okponglo Booster Station, from where it would be pumped to serve the Easter Accra area including Madina. In the long term the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning is currently reviewing a financial proposal of $198 million for preliminary design of new 40 mgd treatment plant at Kpong.

The Minister announced similar efforts to improve water supply in the Adenta and Wa. In an answer to a question by Alhaji Munkata Mubarak, NDC-Asawase as to when drainage works on the Aboabo drains would commence, Mr Owusu-Agyemang said the Kumasi Metropolitan Authority and the Hyrdological Services Department are working on the final engineering designs. This would be completed soon after which the Authority would award the contract for execution.

To a question from Mr Herod Cobbina- Sefwi Akotombra, on when the Constituency would be provided with small water systems, Mr Owusu-Agyemang said Akotombra has been selected as one of the towns for the initial phase of Small Towns Water and Sanitation Project in the Western Region.

He said boreholes fitted with hand-pumps would be provided in the interim to serve Akotombra, Nsawora, Bopa, Ackaakrom and Kojokrom, while preparations were made for a permanent pipe system for the communities.