TAMALE WATER WORKS EXPANSION PROGRESSES (BACK PAGE)

Story: Vincent Adedze, Tamale

WORK on the 45-million Euro water expansion project in the Tamale metropolis is progressing steadily, with more than half the work completed.
Currently, 71 kilometres out of the stipulated 94.5 kilometres of pipelines have been laid and barring any hitches, the work will be completed by August this year as scheduled.
The project is being funded by the Dutch government.
On completion, the quantity of water supplied to residents is expected to increase from the present 5.6 million gallons rationed weekly to 10 million gallons daily.
The Project Manager of the GWCL, Mr Edward Agyekum, stated this in Tamale when he briefed the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Abubakar Saddique Boniface, on progress of work on the water expansion project.
The minister later called on the regents of Gulkpegu and Kakpema, Alhaji Ziblim Abdulai and Alhassan Iddrisu respectively, as well as the authorities of the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
According to Mr Agyekum, "70 per cent of the water expansion work has been completed”, adding that he was hopeful the project would be completed on schedule.
He explained that the perennial water problem in the Tamale metropolis was attributable to the fact that the pipelines laid since 1972 were supposed to supply water to meet the needs of 120,000 people, noting that the current population in the metropolis had increased to 300,000.
Mr Boniface indicated that the government was sourcing an additional 45 million euros to further expand the facilities to enable residents to enjoy potable water up to 30 years.
He also announced that the Spanish government was providing 20 million euros for the supply of potable water to Yendi and Damongo.