Ashaley-Botwe (GA/R), Jan. 25, GNA - The Ghana Water Company (GWC) has set a target of 560 billion cedis as revenue it expects to generate this year as against 430 billion cedis realised in 2003, Mr Samuel O. Lamptey, Managing Director of the company announced on Saturday. The projection shows an increase of 130 billion cedis without tax increase.
Mr Lamptey was speaking at the presentation of 300 eight-inch diameter water pipes worth 200 million cedis by the Tema Municipal Assembly towards the execution of the Ashaley-Botwe/Nmaidjor Water Project, which is estimated to cost six billion cedis.
The residents of the town and surrounding villages initiated the project two years ago.
He said the GWC would import 70,000 water meters to rehabilitate broken-down ones and install some at areas, which did not have them. On connection of pipelines to various homes, the Managing Director warned that no individual had monopoly over pipelines as it was the responsibility of officials of the company to see to the connection of the lines and this was also to avoid intruders.
Mr Lamptey said the company would conduct surveys in the various communities to identify people who enjoyed the services of the company but failed to pay their bills and compel them to honour their civic responsibilities by registering them.
To ensure that residents paid their bills promptly, he impressed on the management committee of the pipe project to identify appropriate areas for customer services centres.
Alhaji Mustapha Ali Iddris, Minister for Works and Housing commended the residents for initiating a project to serve their basic needs and urged other communities to emulate the spirit saying that the times when government undertook projects for communities were past.
Government, would however, support communities which initiated projects to serve the interest of their people.
He announced that the HIPC Disbursement Committee had released one billion cedis to procure pipelines towards the completion of the project to boost the morale of the people adding that the gesture "is just the beginning of good things to come".
The Minister called on estate developers to always ensure that the basic needs of residents were provided.
Alhaji Iddris called on the beneficiaries of the project to co-operate with the project management committee and the contractor and advised against politicising it since water is a basic necessity for life. Mr Samuel Evans Ashong Narh, Tema Municipal Chief Executive commended members of the committee for their communal spirit and called on all households to honour their obligation by paying their contributions promptly.
He said the assembly would explore avenues to enhance accelerated development of the municipality and urged residents of Adenta and surrounding areas who pay their rates and fees to the Ga District Assembly to cease the practice since the assembly needed funds for development.
Mr Narh advised against indiscriminate disposal of refuse and advised them to cultivate the habit of managing waste.
Mr Christopher Mensah, chairman of the water management committee said with a contribution of 500,00 cedis per household an amount 150 million cedis had so far being raised.
He said beneficiary towns include Sraha, Nmaidzor, West Adenta, and Old Town.