Bolgatanga, Feb. 11, GNA - The government has made available Gh¢75 million for work to start on some key water supply facilities in the Upper East Region. The amount would be channelled into the construction of a number of boreholes, the construction of water supply systems in small towns, de-silting of some major and minor dams used for dry-season farming as well as the construction of new ones.

The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo, told journalists that a Gh¢5 million water generating pump has been acquired to rehabilitate the Bolgatanga water supply system at Vea. The Bolgatanga water system was installed about 50 years ago and has been breaking has been breaking down.

Mr. Woyongo said considering the rapid population expansion in the region, especially Bolgatanga, it is clear that the Vea Dam, which is the main source of water supply in the Bolgatanga Municipality, cannot contain the water needs of the people.

The government is considering establishing a water supply system at Tono in the Kassena=96Nanakana East District to augment the Vea one. Mr. Woyongo called on the people to be patient as the government makes efforts to bring development to the area.