Mr. Adam Mutawakilu, the Acting Managing Director of Ghana Water Limited (GWL), has denied reports that water shortages in the Central Region have impacted more than 140,000 consumers.
He claims that the assertion made by Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markins, the previous chairman of the company’s board and MP for the Effutu seat, was not backed up by information that management had access to and did not accurately represent the situation on the ground.
During an inspection tour of the Winneba headworks to verify the claims, Mr. Mutawakilu clarified that the facility’s water supply and production had stayed consistent.
“The Winneba headworks produces 9,700 cubic meters of water daily, and there has not been any interruption in operations,” he said, adding that any disruptions are promptly communicated to customers.
“If indeed he had evidence of such widespread shortages, it would have been prudent to consult management for clarification before going public; the claim that 140,000 customers have been affected by a shutdown cannot be supported by facts,” Mr. Mutawakilu stated.
The Acting MD explained that customers impacted by the ongoing Kasoa–Takoradi road construction project, which started in 2024, are the only ones now facing supply issues.
He disclosed that over 1,100 clients had been affected, with roughly 210 of them located in the Effutu constituency and 900 in Kasoa.
“These customers have had supply interruptions due to the road works, and management has been actively engaging with the Ghana Highway Authority, the Minister of Roads and Highways, and the contractor to resolve the issue,” the Acting MD revealed.
As he turned his focus to other improvement projects, Mr. Mutawakilu mentioned that the Weija treatment facility was undergoing expansion in order to boost supplies to the Kasoa region.
He also emphasized that although the plant’s four filters had been out of commission for a while, restoration efforts were moving along at a steady pace, with two filters nearly finished.
He promised to address the issues of water production and distribution head-on with the help of GWC’s board, management, and employees in order to guarantee a steady supply for the populace.
Regarding illegal mining, he acknowledged that “galamsey” operators’ operations still provide a significant obstacle to water treatment.
The Acting MD went on to explain that the company is forced to employ more costly chemicals for treatment due to the excessive turbidity of the water caused by the pollution.
“In the past, we relied mainly on aluminum sulfate, popularly known as alum, but due to the level of pollution, we now often have to use poly-electrolytes, which are five times more expensive,” he revealed.
Source: newsthemegh.com