Nalerigu, July 22,
GNA – Construction of a modern and improved water system for Nalerigu and
Walewale, in Mamprugu in the Northern Region is to commence in September,
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced.
The Commencement of
the project, he said, was a fulfilment of a pledge he made to the people last
year.
President Akufo-Addo
made the revelation on Saturday at a durbar held in his honour at Nalerigu by
the overlord of Mamprugu, the Nayiri, Na Bohogu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga.
He had, in his tour,
last year, of the Northern Region, told the Nayiri and the people of Mamprugu
that his government was in the process of procuring a $45 million facility from
the World Bank to provide water in rural areas for six (6) regions, of which
Mamprugu was to be a beneficiary.
“So, I am here today
to inform you that the improved water system in Nalerigu, Gambaga and Walewale
will start in September this year, two months from now. 35,000 gallons each
will be added to the system in each and every town, and also new boreholes are
going to be drilled to add more water,” the President said.
He assured that “all
the pipelines are going to be replaced, so that we can bring water to all
households. And, with the beginning of the work in September, Mamprugu will
definitely get an improved water system.”
President Akufo-Addo
further stated that the community toilet project, which was being rolled out by
the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives, would provide some 5,000
household toilets nationwide this year.
“We are determined
to fulfil the 1-toilet-1-household commitment that we made, and the Mamprugu
area is going to receive about 300 toilets each, from Nalerigu, Gambaga and
Walewale, and a total of 1,000 household toilets are going to be constructed in
this area to improve sanitation,” he said.
The President was
confident that “by the grace of the Almighty and our hard work, open defecation
in Ghana is going to be a thing of the past”.
On the erratic
nature of power supply in the area, the President noted that the transmission
line that served Nalerigu from Yendi was too long, and resulted in problems
that interrupted power supply.
“The decision has
been taken to remove the line from Nalerigu to Garu, and as things will have
it, poles were brought yesterday (Friday) to begin the work. Very soon, I think
that erratic power supply will be a thing of the past,” he assured.
The President
indicated that with the on-going 434 electrification projects in the Northern
Region, East Mamprusi was going to receive 80 of such projects.
Touching on seismic
exploration being carried out in the Voltaian Basin by the Ghana National
Petroleum Corporation, which was affecting areas in the Northern Region
including Nanton, West Mamprusi, Central Gonja and Mion districts, President
Akufo-Addo explained that its purpose was to unearth the hydrocarbon potential
of the basin.
“It is disturbing
and I know it will disturb some people in some communities. It may even go
through some farms, but I am imploring you, and all the citizenry of Mamprugu,
to co-operate with these activities.
“They are not meant
to disturb you, they are meant to help all of us at the end. So, when they
come, and they (geologists) are doing their work, support them, allow them to
do their work because, at the end of the day, you are going to be the principal
beneficiaries. We are finding important deposits of oil in the area,” he said
GNA