The Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs, Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, at the weekend cut the sod for work to commence on a ?5 billion water project initiated by the people of Ashale-Botwe and its environs in Accra.

The first phase of the project involving the laying of pipes to the existing mains of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), is being financed by the residents who are contributing ?500,000 per household towards the project.

Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey expressed regret about the downward trend of self-reliance in the country, which he said was hampering government’s quest to transform the nation’s economy to a middle level status.

The Minister pointed out that people had rather turned to the government as the provider of everything instead of taking the initiative to develop their areas and looking up to government for support.

He congratulates the community for their maturity in initiating the project and urged them to show commitment towards it early completion.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Yaw Barima in a speech read on his behalf, said the water pipes installed about 50 years ago, were rusty and needed replacement. That he said was the major cause of leakage and loss of water in the system.

Mr. Barima explained that proposed introduction of private water participation was a step toward injecting funds and technology into the operations of the GWCL to maximize its capacity to meet the needs of the people.

Mr. Chris Mensah, chairman, Ashale-Botwe/Nmai Dzorn Water Project Committee, said nine communities were contributing towards the project.

He disclosed that the committee had purchased 155 (eight inches) pipe holes valued at ?90 million out of the ?100 million funds mobilized. The pipes, he said, would cover only one out of the eight kilometers of land cover.

Mr. Mensah, therefore, appealed to individuals and organizations to contribute towards the realization of the project to bring relief to the people.