The government has directed that 28 villages within the perimeter of the Koforidua water project which were not initially factored into the project should all be catered for.
Initially only 22 villages along the pipeline from Ponponya on the Volta Lake where the water is being drawn to Koforidua, were factored into the project.
Under the €35.5 million Belgian government project being executed by Denys of Belgium, 4.2 million gallons of water will be pumped daily from the Volta Lake to Koforidua, Tafo, Osiem and some parts of the East Akyem Municipality.
Already the first phase of the project which commenced in 2007, had been completed while the second phase involving the coverage of Koforidua is 99 per cent complete and is expected to be inaugurated by the President in April.
The Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr Alban Sumana Bagbin, announced the government’s decision, when he briefed journalists at the treatment plant at Bukonor on efforts being made by the government to improve on water supply in Koforidua and its surrounding communities.
Mr Bagbin, who was accompanied by the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Ofosu Ampofo, was on his maiden visit to the site for first-hand information on the project.
According to Mr Bagbin, President Mills, during his electioneering in the area in the middle of 2008, promised the people of good drinking water from the Koforidua water project.
In fulfilment of that pledge, Mr Bagbin said $2.5 million was being sought to extend the water to the 28 villages which were not initially factored into the project.
In answer to a question about the general water supply situation in the country, the minister said under a programme, most of the communities currently without potable water would be gradually catered for.
Mr Allan Okomen Mensah, the project manager, said the second phase of supplying water to Koforidua had almost been completed and that construction work for its extension to Tafo and beyond was in progress.
He said most of the 4.2 million gallons of water pumped from the Volta Lake would complement about 1.2 million gallons a day pumped from the Densu and Suhyen rivers to Koforidua.
Mr Okomen who stated that the second phase was four months ahead of schedule gave the assurance that the third and final stage would be completed within schedule.
Mr Ofosu Ampofo suggested the possibility of extending the pipeline to Bunsu where the only source of good drinking water, the Birim river had been polluted due to the activities of illegal gold miners as well as some towns and villages in the nearby Fanteakwa District.
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