Residents of Ho and its surrounding communities are breathing a sigh of relief as water supply has been restored following the swift intervention of the Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu.
The Ghana Water Limited (GWL) has successfully completed repair works on the Kpeve Headworks pump, which had broken down and left residents struggling for water for over a month.
The water crisis, which began since last year, forced households, businesses, schools, hospitals, and other institutions to rely on private water tankers, who reportedly hiked their prices amid the shortage.
However, within a week of assuming office, Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu made the restoration of water supply a top priority, playing a crucial role in ensuring the timely completion of the repair works at the Kpeve Headworks.
The new Regional Minister visited Kpeve Headworks facility three times to assess the situation firsthand and collaborated with key stakeholders, including officials from the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), to expedite the repair process.
His direct involvement and leadership ensured that the peoblem with the pump was fixed, leading to the restoration of water supply across Ho and adjoining communities.
“We have suffered for too long, and now, within just a few days of taking office, the new Regonal Minister has delivered. This is true leadership,” said an elated resident, Seyram Adzo Adzamli, as she collected water from her tap for the first time in several weeks.
Checks indicate that areas such as Sorkode Lokoe, Datalink, and some parts of the municipality started receiving water on Sunday, February 9, while others are gradually regaining supply. However, some communities are yet to have water flow through their taps at the time of this report.
Despite the restored supply, Hon. James Gunu acknowledge that the current water production capacity at Kpeve Headworks remains inadequate to meet the growing demand. The facility produces only 11,000 cubic meters of water daily, while the regional demand stands at 30,000 cubic meters. According to him, the government will ensure that the facility is expanded not only to meet the current demand of 30,000 cubic meters per day but way beyond the current production capacity to cater for the increasing population.
Additionally, the regional minister, alongside the Regional Chief Manager of GWCL, Ing. Francis Lamptey, visited Klefe, where a borehole with significant water reserves was identified. According to Mr. Gunu, experts will be brought in to assess and explore ways to mechanize it for public use, benefiting Klefe, nearby communities, and parts of Ho Municipality.
While celebrating the return of water, residents are urging the government and GWL to procure new, modern equipment to replace the aging infrastructure at Kpeve. Many fear that without long-term investments, another crisis could emerge in the future.
Meanwhile, Mr. Gunu has assured residents that the John Dramani Mahama-led NDC administration will work tirelessly to prevent a recurrence of the crisis, promising further engagement with stakeholders to boost water infrastructure development in the region.
Source: InsiderGH.com
