Kumasi, July 2, GNA - Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, Minister of Defence and Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia on Saturday inaugurated a 2.576 billion-cedi water system for Buokrom in the Kumasi metropolis. The inauguration of the water system, which was the first phase of the Buokrom water project started about three years ago with HIPC funds, involved the construction of a 450 cubic-metre glass reinforced plastic tank. It also involved the construction of a 225 cubic-metre reinforced concrete ground tank, a booster station with a transformer and the construction of about one-kilometre rising main from the booster station to the high level tank and connection into existing distribution pipelines.

Speaking at the function, Dr Addo Kufuor described as untrue the claim by a group calling itself Patriotic Citizens in Kumasi that the Kumasi metropolis and for that matter Ashanti which was the bedrock of the NPP had been neglected by the government in terms of development. He enumerated a number of projects, including schools, water and health, sanitation, streetlights which had been provided in Kumasi between 2001 and 2003.

Dr Addo Kufuor said even though the NPP had its base in Ashanti, the whole country voted for President Kufuor and not Ashanti Region alone and as such he is the President of the whole country and must therefore ensure that every region had its share of development projects. He called on the people to be patient and have faith in President Kufuor since he wanted what was best for the country and will therefore, do everything possible to place the country on the proper road to development.

Mr Kobina Garbrah, Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), said what was being put into service now was a major plan in the road map for delivering quality service to customers at Buokrom. He said the road map consisted of the provision of additional water by drilling boreholes, the rehabilitation and extension of distribution network. Mr Garbrah said with the current facilities in place, the residents can now expect a credible water rationing programme for the estate. Mrs Sarah Letitia Agyemang, assemblywoman for Buokrom, said for the past 30 years, the people of Buokrom had to accept potable water as a precious commodity. She therefore, expressed gratitude to the Defence Minister and GWCL for making the project a reality.