Koforidua, May 5, GNA- A Dutch technical team is expected in Ghana this month, to explore the possibility of finding permanent solution to the perennial water problem facing Koforidua municipality.

The Eastern Regional Director of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Mr Daniel Muomaalah, announced this at a forum on, "Water Production and Supply" in Koforidua, organized by the Fanfoworld for Sustainable Development, a non-governmental organisation.

Mr Muomaalah said government is to sign a contract with a Spanish construction firm to solve the persistent Kwahu water problem before the end of the year.

He said the GWCL would need one billion cedis to lay pipelines to improve on water supply to Koforidua Zongo.

The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Ms Susana Mensah, called for the protection of water bodies to ensure constant flow of potable water. Mr Enimil Ashon, Communication Specialist with the Urban Water Project, said four companies had been short-listed for the take off of the water privatisation programme.

He said by the end of July, this year, one of the four companies would be selected to take over the management of the GWCL for the next five years.

Mr Ashon said under a proposed contract, the participating company that would be engaged would be required to manage the water system in the country for five years.

He said the company would be required to bring in top management team of up to 10 specialists who would be in charge of all operational decisions including water supply, treatment and delivery, billing and collection and supervision of employees of GWCL.

Mr Ashon said the foreign management team would be judged by it ability to reduce water wastage by five per cent per annum, optimise power consumption, and chemical usage, while maintaining high water quality and increase cash flow through improvement in bill payment. The Executive Director of Fanfoworld, Alhaji Alhassan Abdulai suggested the need to put on probation any company that took over the management of GWCL to ensure efficiency.