More than €12 million is required to complete the first phase of the Sogakope water expansion project after the project stalled for three years.
The expanded water system currently under construction is intended to improve supply to the South Tongu District capital, Sogakope, and surrounding areas, Anloga, Keta, Aflao and surrounding communities, where more than 300,000 people will depend on it for potable water.
Aside from population growth which has necessitated the expansion project, the plan is to enable the project to feed neighbouring country, Togo, with the aim of earning some foreign exchange.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for South Tongu, Maxwell Kwame Lukutor, paid a working visit to the Agordomi Water Project site yesterday to assess the progress of work.
The tour was also to engage the contractors on the status of the project.
During the inspection, Avi Ashkenazi, the Project Manager of Lesico, the project contractor, explained that work had stalled for the past three years due to inadequate funding.
He said under the terms of the contract, the government of Ghana was required to pay €200,000 every month whenever delays occurred.
Mr Ashkenazi further disclosed that the government currently owed Lesico approximately €63 million for work already executed.
The Project Manager indicated that an additional €12 million would be sufficient to complete Phase One of the project.
Once the required funds are released, he said, Phase One could be completed within six months to boost the supply of safe drinking water to Sogakope and neighbouring communities.
MP’s response
The MP, Mr Lukutor, expressed satisfaction with the quality and extent of work completed so far and commended the contractors for their commitment despite the prolonged funding challenges.
He emphasised that access to clean and reliable drinking water remained one of the most pressing needs of the people of South Tongu and neighbouring districts.
The MP, an experienced geodetic engineer, assured the project management that he had already engaged both the Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources and the Minister of Finance for the necessary facilitation support, stressing the urgent need to release the necessary funds to resume and complete the project.
He reiterated that the completion of the Agordomi Water Project would significantly improve access to safe drinking water, enhance public health and support the socio-economic development of Sogakope, Keta, Aflao and the surrounding communities.
Mr Lukutor reaffirmed his commitment to working with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the project received the attention it deserved and completed in time in the interest of the people.
