The Ghana Water Limited (GWL) Regional Office in Sunyani, Bono Region, has established a Low-Income Consumer Support Department (LICSD) to address disparities in water services across low-income urban communities (LIUCs) in the area.
The department is responsible for developing and enforcing policies that ensure accessible and affordable water supply for low-income urban residents.
The Regional Chief Manager of GWL, Theophilus T. Collins, said the establishment of the department was timely to ensure the goal of “providing affordable drinking water to the urban poor in a sustainable way”.
The manager said this when the Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, paid a working visit to the company, during which he engaged with management and staff as part of his tour of various institutions within the region.
He was briefed on the GWL’s operational challenges and ongoing projects in the area, especially the current water situation within Sunyani municipal and its surroundings, as well as the status of the Sunyani Water Supply Expansion Project, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at improving access to potable water in the region.
Mr Collins outlined some initiatives the company was implementing, such as the *1010#, which now makes it convenient for consumers and customers within the region to receive and pay their water bills electronically, regardless of their geographical location.
He also mentioned the utilisation of drone technology in managing infrastructure, assets, and resources through geospatial data, as well as hydraulic network modelling.
The minister further highlighted some achievements in customer service improvements, such as reducing arrears, cutting non-revenue water, and maximising revenue collections.
He said there was also some progress made in a water expansion project, which is expected to enhance the daily water supply to Sunyani and surrounding communities upon its completion.
Commendation
The minister commended the management and staff of the company for their commitment to providing clean and safe water to the people.
He called for continuous collaboration between utility establishments and local authorities to address emerging issues such as illegal connections, encroachment on water infrastructure, and climate change’s impact on water sources.
Assurance
Mr Akwaboa gave an assurance of the government’s commitment to sustainable water delivery systems, emphasising that the Regional Coordinating Council would support them in tackling challenges, particularly in protecting raw water sources and fostering stakeholder and inter-agency collaboration.
The minister later held an interactive session where staff had the opportunity to raise concerns, including land encroachments, ageing infrastructure and the need for greater public education on paying water bills.