Wa, Nov. 1, GNA- Feasibility studies on the Black Volta River as a source of portable water supply for the Wa Municipality and its environs has been completed, Mr George Hikah Benson, Upper West Regional Minister has announced.

He said a number of communities have also been provided with small-town water systems and boreholes to improve the livelihood of the people to enable them to contribute their quota to national development. Mr. Benson announced this at a two-day workshop on the role of District and Municipal Assemblies in water resource management at Wa on Thursday.

He said the success of these facilities would however depend on the effective and efficient management by the communities who were the beneficiaries of the systems. The Water Resource Commission in implementing its mandate of regulating and managing the water resources in the country in a coordinated manner, organised the forum for stakeholders in the water sector.

Mr Benson said the maintenance of water resources had become more critical than ever before, because of the recent floods that had affected water resources and systems in the communities. He called for the rehabilitation of all water facilities in the communities to provide clean drinking water for the people, to avoid water-borne diseases. Mr Ben Ampomah, Executive Secretary of the Water Resource Commission, said the Commission would soon prepare a buffer zone policy to protect and maintain water bodies. He said a law would be enacted to give legal backing to the policy directive.

Mrs Adwoa M. Dako, Public Relations Officer of the Commission said managing water resources was everybody's business and called for the building of mutual partnerships and solidarity among stakeholders in the water sector.

She also called for the establishment of a comprehensive scheme for the development of water resources in protected areas. She urged traditional rulers and district assemblies to enact byelaws and enforce the existing ones to protect water resources. Mrs Dako suggested the proper disposal of liquid and solid waste and the planting of trees as well as discouraging farming activities along riverbanks since the practice was causing erosion. 2 Nov. 07