Sekyere-Heman (W/R) May 29, GNA - The Sekyere-Heman Water Treatment Plant, which was constructed as a booster to solve the perennial water storage in Cape Coast and its surrounding towns, is in danger of grinding to a halt.

This is because the negative impact of the vigorous illegal mining activities on the Pra River. Master Alex Abisah, Station Officer of the Head Works, told a team of reporters, on Thursday, that the massive capital injected into the project by the Government and the Netherlands would go to waste if the illegal mining activities on the Pra River were not halted soon. The plant, which was commissioned in 2008, was constructed at 40 million Euros to serve as a booster to the Brimsu Water Works, in Cape Coast.

It serves Sekyere-Heman and its surrounding communities in the Western Region, Ayensudo, Attabadze, Komenda and some parts of the Cape Coast, all in the Central Region. Mr. Abisah said the plant is currently running at a high cost due to the level of silt accumulation in the intake point due to illegal mining. He explained that as a result the intake point had been badly polluted affecting both the colour and torpidity. In addition to the high cost of treatment, the efficiency of the pump and some recently installed equipment had been affected. The news team discovered that parts of the river had been blocked with accumulation of silt dredged from the river and this had affected the rapid inflow of raw water.

Mr. Abisah said all efforts to stop the activities of those illegal miners had proved futile as those arrested by the security personnel were released when the issue took a political twist. He said since their release the operators had intensified their illegal activities with impunity as workers of the plant looked on helplessly. The station officer said several reports had been made to the relevant authorities and they were yet to see their reaction. An interview with some of the illegal miners indicated that they were not ready to halt their operations despite the adverse effects on the river, explaining that they depended on the river for their livelihood. Some residents also alleged that there were high personalities behind the Galamsey operators hence their adamant posture. 29 May 10