Regional News of Saturday, 25 June 2011

Source: GNA

High fluoride content undermining borehole drilling in Yendi

Yendi (NR) June 25, GNA - The Northern Region Small Towns Water and Sanitation Project (NORST) is finding it difficult to provide boreholes to some communities in the Yendi Municipality due to high fluoride content in 12 boreholes it has drilled so far.

The Municipal Co-ordinating Director, Alhaji Shehu Kadri who announced this during a NORST Review meeting in Yendi said some of the affected communities are Bunbonayili and Gbungbaliga.

Alhaji Shehu said although the normal fluoride rate should be 1.5 milligrams those found in the two spanned 1.6 milligram and 1.7 milligram.

He said since the project started almost two years ago, the contractor was able to drill a number of boreholes without hitting quality water for human consumption.

Alhaji Shehu said the project funded by Canadian International Development Agency with GH¢680,100.00 and so far GH¢135,382.31 has been spent in drilling the boreholes representing five per cent of the amount.

Deputy Team leader of NORST of Mr Alex Opare Akonor said Yendi, Karaga, Nanumba North and Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo districts are benefiting from the small water system in the Northern Region.

Mr Opare said in Nanumba North NORST drilled a number of boreholes but could not hit water.

He noted that the small water system in the region was so dear to the hearts of the government and the Regional Co-ordinating Council.

Mr Opare said the pace of implementation has been very slow and challenging due to the quality of water in the beneficiary communities.