Ninety (90) mechanized boreholes are to be constructed in 21 selected districts across the nation by the Social Investment Fund (SIF) to support efforts at promoting increased access to safe drinking water.

It is part of the four- year Integrated Rural Development Project (IRDP) funded jointly by the government, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund for International Development.

Mr. Joe Acheampong, Executive Director of the SIF, said the borehole component of the project was vital for the improvement of the socio-economic lives of the people and urged the beneficiary district assemblies to show keen interest to ensure successful implementation.

Addressing a workshop at Fumesua in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality, he asked that the assemblies effectively worked with the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) to achieve the intended results.

He said “site allocation, design, pumps specification, selection of water supply systems, construction supervision, as well as environmental and social safeguard compliance must be done on expert advice.”

Mr. Acheampong expressed worry about the shoddy manner some borehole projects had been executed in the past, leading to the breaking down of many of these water facilities barely three months after completion and said this could not be allowed to continue.

Under the IRDP education, health, sanitation and market infrastructure would also be provided to enhance the living conditions of the people.

The SIF Executive Director said sub-project management committees (SPMCs) had been established at the district level to oversee the efficient implementation of the projects.

Mr. MacDonald Acquah, an Institutional Development Specialist of the SIF, asked the committees to submit monthly reports on the progress of work to keep the Fund informed of challenges and prevent deviation from the planned objectives of the project.