Minority caucus in parliament has charged government to ensure adequate supply of water in the Greater Accra Region and other parts of the country to help fight the Coronavirus pandemic.
According to the Minority, there has been reports of shortage of water supply in Tema, Ablekuma, Darkuman and other places in the capital city.
Ranking member on the Works and Housing Committee of Parliament, Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah at a press briefing in parliament on Thursday, May 21, 2020, said water is life and so Ghanaians must not be made to go through difficulties searching for water in this difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He hinted of plans by the Minority group to visit some affected areas in the city to asses the situation for themselves.
Kwame Bedzra blasted the government for only paying lip service to Ghanaians in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that, the government is either facing managerial or technical problem and is refusing to tell consumers.
“In fact, most Ghanaians especially residents in and around Accra were excited when the President announced these measures during his nationwide broadcast on Sunday 5th April 2020. The Hon. Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources later corroborated the President’s announcement by providing details of the directives to the general public.
“As we may all be aware, one of the preventive measures/protocols for COVID-19 is regular washing of hands with soap under running water.
“Unfortunately, under the current circumstances, residents in Accra are confronted with an acute water shortage and one wonders how practicable it would be for them to wash their hands under a nonexistent running water, let alone use same for domestic and industrial purposes,” Bedzra stated.
Full Statement
PRESS RELEASE ON WATER SHORTAGE IN THE GREATER ACCRA REGION
The Covid 19 pandemic continues to disrupt life with very little signs of relief globally. Efforts at dealing with the debilitating effects of the corona virus continues to unsettle many nations. Sadly, in Ghana’s case, Accra which is the most populous city, and for that matter the epicenter of coronavirus cases in Ghana has had its situation compounded over the past week with a nauseating water shortage which is really biting hard without any explanation from the authorities in charge.
The situation which seems to be getting out of hand in areas such as Adenta, Madina, Teshie, La, Achimota, Ashaiman, Tema and Kasoa (just to mention a few) is literally rendering our country’s fight against the pandemic not only ridiculous but also fruitless. Ironically, the current water shortage in Accra and its environs has come at a time that the President had announced to the whole nation as part of mitigating measures against the disease, a three (3) months (ie April, May, June) period of free Water to households. The free water to citizens as announced by the President was not limited to fixed pipes but also includes Mobile Water Tank delivery to homes where there are no water supplies through public main pipes.
In fact, most Ghanaians especially residents in and around Accra were excited when the President announced these measures during his nationwide broadcast on Sunday 5th April 2020. The Hon Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources later corroborated the President’s announcement by providing details of the directives to the general public.
As we may all be aware, one of the preventive measures/protocols for COVID 19 is regular washing of hands with soap under running water. Unfortunately, under the current circumstances, residents in Accra are confronted with an acute water shortage and one wonders how practicable it would be for them to wash their hands under a nonexistent running water, let alone use same for domestic and industrial purposes. Announcing a populist programme such as free water to households may earn the president a loud applause, and may be useful for propaganda purposes. The problem with such pronouncements which is biting hard now is the government’s readiness and capacity to deliver on these flamboyant announcements.
The Minority Caucus would like to find out from the Government; why water promised Ghanaians, particularly those living in Accra and its environs is not being made available as announced? Secondly, are the Water Producing.
Source: Felix Nyaaba || therepublicnewsonline.com
