Water project completed in Kumasi and Obuasi

The upgrade and extension of water transmission mains in the Kumasi Metropolis and the Obuasi Municipality under the first year investment programme of the Urban Water Project has been completed.
The 61.8kilometre length of water transmission mains was constructed at a cost of GH¢400,600 with funding from the World Bank and the Ghana Government. It comprised of 45.9km in Kumasi and 15.9km in Obuasi.
The upgrade and extension of the transmission mains is to serve as a reinforcement of the distribution network and that it is expected to serve as a reception to the expansion work to increase the capacity of the Barekese and Owabi Dams which supplies pipe borne water to Kumasi and its surrounding areas.
Works on the expansion project at Barekese Dam is progressing steadily and was anticipated to be completed by end of 2009 during which the irregular supply of water for residents of Kumasi and its surrounding areas was expected to be a thing of the past.
The Managing Director of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Mr Kwaku Botchway who organised a media tour to inspect the facility in Kumasi and Obuasi at the weekend explained that the main extension pipelines were in 400, 300 and 200 diameters respectively.
He said on many occasions, there was water available but because of the weak infrastructure, the water was unable to flow to the homes of residents since the lines were regularly faulty and resulted in wastage of treated water.
“So this is to cure the problem”, the Managing Director said.
Mr Botchway said the planning horizon of the project took into account future extensions and road networks so that upgrade of roads in future does not affect the facility so as to protect the infrastructure and investment.
In Kumasi, areas that have been connected to the upgrade and extension project includes Airport roundabout to Kenyase, Santase to Atasemanso, Kwadaso to Edwenase, Edwenase to Police Depot and Buokrom through Asabi to Aboabo junction.
Others are Tafo through Pankrono to Mampong road, Santase to Brofoyedu, Fankyenebra through Apere to Edwenase and Santase roundabout through Sofoline to Abrepo junction.
Mr Botchway said whilst Kumasi residents who have been connected to the new transmission lines would start experiencing improvements in water supply after the completion of the Barekese expansion works, those in Obuasi have already started seeing improvements in water supply.
Areas in Obuasi currently benefitting from the project include Brahabebome, Akapoliso, Bediem, Dunkwa Nkwanta, Nkamprom, Gausu, Bompe and Bogobiri.
Mr Daniel Bampoh, Director of the Project Management Unit of the GWCL said his outfit was committed to ensuring improvement and conditions of systems and services rendered to customers.
He said aside Kumasi and Obuasi, the Urban Water Project covered Accra and Mampong and that 26 water systems have been selected countrywide for rehabilitation and extension.
At Mampong he said a booster station was being constructed so that areas which did not get water could get water.
Mr Bampoh said about US$70million has been earmarked for the next phase of the Urban Water Project and that in Ashanti, Agona and New Edubiase are to benefit from the project.
The project was undertaken by Top International Ghana Limited with Tahal Consulting Engineering Ltd and Alpha Consult, as the consultants for the Kumasi and Obuasi projects.
PICTURE SHOWS
Mr Kwaku Botchway (hand pointing to pipeline) and some media personnel inspecting a pipeline at the Santase roundabout area.