Integrated Action for Community Development (INTAGRAD), an NGO, has inaugurated a community water project to provide safe drinking water for the residents of Kuenyevilla, a suburb of Sagnarigu, near Tamale.

INTAGRAD, which is supported by Water Aid, has also constructed water kiosks for Datoyili North, Zujung Yapala and Wayamba communities in the Tamale Metropolis to increase access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation.

Mr Abdul Kahard Abdulai, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of INTAGRAD assisted by the Chief of Kuenyevilla, inaugurated the facility at Kuenyevilla on Thursday to mark this year’s World Water Day celebration.

Mr Abdulai said: “Even though the country is said to attain 87 per cent water coverage, there are still issues of quality, equity and sustainability, which do not auger well for sustainable development.”

He said the country could face serious water crisis by 2025 adding there is, therefore the need to protect, conserve, treat and use various community water bodies effectively to avoid water crisis.

He called on government and other duty bearers to step up efforts to ensure access to safe drinking water in the Sagnarigu District and the Tamale Metropolis.

Naa Haruna Nabila, Chief of Kuenyevilla expressed gratitude to INTAGRAD for the intervention and called for the expansion of the water system in the area because its population had increased.

Naa Nabila urged the residents to stop open defecation to avoid outbreak of diseases.