For over three months, the residents of Sokoban in the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly have been grappling with a severe water shortage caused by a contractor’s oversight. The issue arose when Kofi Job, the contractor working on the Daban-Sokoban road, failed to relocate the existing water pipelines before commencing work. This negligence resulted in the destruction of the water lines, cutting off the community’s water supply.
The prolonged shortage has led residents to rely on untreated water sources, such as streams and hand-dug wells, posing significant health risks. Those with financial means have turned to water tankers and bottled water, but these options are expensive. A bucket of untreated borehole water is sold for GH¢2, while a full water tanker costs GH¢1,200.
With the onset of the rainy season, there is heightened concern about potential cholera outbreaks due to the consumption of contaminated water. Hon. Kwadwo Boateng, the Assembly Member for the Sokoban electoral area, has criticized the contractor for failing to communicate a timeline for repairs and has called for immediate intervention from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to address the issue.
The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) stated that they are waiting for funds from the contractor to replace the damaged pipelines and restore water supply. Although the GWCL has submitted cost estimates to the Ghana Highways Authority for approval, they have yet to receive the necessary funds. In response, Mr. Frank Atsu Boaja, the engineer for Kofi Job Construction Limited, claimed that all payments have been made to the GWCL, though he did not disclose the exact amount.
Contacts:
– Assembly Member, Hon. Kwadwo Boateng: 0535969380 / 0548040318
– Padi PRO GWCL: 055 300 3299 / 0553003299
– Frank (Kofi Job Engineer): 0244034538
Source:choicenewsonline.com