We'll solve water, housing problems - Ahi

The Deputy Minister Designate for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Mr Sampson Ahi, has pledged to work hard towards solving the water challenges that have bedeviled the nation for sometime.

Taking his turn before the Appointment Committee of Parliament Monday, Mr Ahi who is also the Member of Parliament for Juaboso in the Western region acknowledged that the demand for water in Accra had far outstripped what the country could supply.

He said whereas the country required over one million Cubic Metres of  water per day, only 690,000 Cubic Metres could be provided by the Ghana Water Company Limited.

This, he said, was because the water plants currently being used to treat water were old, and couldn't be overstretched beyond a certain limit.

Mr Ahi added that the power challenges currently facing the country had also exacerbated the water problem.

He, however, pledged to support his Minister when given the nod as Deputy Minsiter, to solve the water crisis facing the country.

He said as part of that effort, his ministry would expedite measures to complete a project to drill 1,700 boreholes in rural areas.

The Deputy Minister Designate also emphasised the Ministry's commitmnent to working hard to reduce the country's housing deficit, which he said had led to high rent rates.

To this end, Mr Ahi said efforts would be made to complete all hosuing projects that the government had abandoned due to lack of funds.  

He said the Ministry would also work to provide decent accommodation for the security services, including the Ghana Police Service.

Mr Ahi is a native of Sefwi Bodi in the Western Region. He is married with five children and a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He is a Christian, born on September 14, 1976 and serves on the Appointments Committee of Parliament, Committee on Gender and Children, Committee on Poverty Reduction Strategy and
Mines and Energy.

Story: Samuel Obour/Graphic.com.gh