Meet the Press Statement by Hon Abubakar Saddique Boniface, MP, Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Delivered in the Conference Room of the Ministry of Information and National Orientation
Mr Chairman, the Hon Deputy Minister for Information and National Orientation, Colleague Hon Ministers, Hon Deputy Ministers, Heads of Department and Agencies, Members of the Media Fraternity, Distinguished Invited Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am delighted to be in your midst today to update you on developments in my Ministry.
Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, as the name clearly depicts, the core business of this Ministry is to formulate and implement policies and programmes aimed at the provision of two out of the three basic necessities of life – shelter (housing) and water. In addition to this the Ministry also facilitates the provision of infrastructure in respect of Works, Coastal Protection, Drainage and Operational Hydrology and Water related Sanitation.
A. WATER
Mr Chairman, permit me to start this presentation with the issue of water as that is one area that is so dear to the heart of everyone and rightly so, because water is life.
The Government’s commitment towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of 78% of water coverage by 2015, and the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) objective of 85% coverage by 2015 remains on course.
The Ministry has been aggressive in the delivery of water, both in the rural and urban communities.
URBAN WATER
Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen the current urban water production nationwide is about 127,600,000 million gallons per day (mgd) as against a demand of about 231,000,000 million gallons per day which is expected to increase to about 237,600,000 million gallons per day by the end of this year, 2007. By 2008, urban water supply coverage is expected to increase to about 58% due to various expansion works which are either in progress or about to commence.
Specific projects designed and currently under construction and at various stages of completion, include the following:
Accra East-West Interconnection
Kwanyaku Water supply Project
Cape Coast Water Supply Project
Koforidua Water Supply project
Tamale Water Supply Project and
Baifikrom Water Supply Project.
(i) Adenta Water Supply
The drilling unit of the Ghana Water Company Limited has so far sunk a total of five (5) boreholes at Dodowa to improve upon the present level of water delivery to Adenta and its environs as a short term measure. Adenta will also benefit from the Accra East West interconnection, currently underway.
(ii) Accra East/West Interconnection
This project entails the transfer of water from Weija to the East of Accra which is expected to supplement water from Kpong with at least 15 million gallons per day.
The cost of this project is US$32m. with the contractors being Ballast Nedam BV; and the Consultants Royal Haskoning BV. The project commenced in December, 2006 for completion in 18 months.
The completion of this project would improve water delivery to Adenta, parts of Eastern and Western Accra including: Madina, Kwabenya, Ashongman, North, East and West Legon, Ashaley Botwe, Haatso etc. Work is about 20% completed.
(iii) Kpong II Water Supply Expansion Project
This is one project that should help end the water shortage of the Accra/Tema Metropolis as it will involve the production of additional 40 million gallons of water per day. The estimated cost of the project is US$198 million, and two companies Messrs China Ghezouba of China and RANHIL Utilities Berhard of Malaysia who have expressed interest in the project are sourcing funds to undertake it.
(v) Kasoa Water Supply
Currently, houses in the Freetown and Gbomilia areas on the Domeabra road, Kasoa New Town, Walantu behind the Police Station and houses on the Nyanyanor road are connected to the water system.
In addition to this the Kasoa Water Supply, which entails drawing water from the Kwanyaku Water plant will supply the Kasoa Township and its environs. This will complement and improve water supply to a number of areas that are currently being supplied from the Weija works, and will thus relieve the supply pressure on Weija and release same to boost supply to Accra.
The cost of the Project is €12,230,167 and it is to be financed with a concessionary loan from the Dutch Government.
(vi) Sekondi-Takoradi Water Supply
The Royal Netherlands Embassy in Ghana is considering further investment to extend the distribution network to get water to the poorest end users.
(vii) Cape Coast Water Supply
The Brimsu Dam/Headworks has already been dredged with a €2.0 million Dutch Government grant. As a long term solution, however, a contract to draw water from Sekyere Hemang to Cape Coast, at a contract sum of €40,085,000.00 was signed on 12th November, 2005, with Ballast Nedam International B.V. being the Contractors taking €36,970,000.00 while Royal Haskoning BV are the Consultants. The project which is expected to be completed by December, this year, 2007, has been assessed to be substantially 98% completed less power supply for test running of plant.
(viii) Kwanyaku Water Supply
Ladies and Gentlemen, the new plant (21,000m3/d for the Kwanyaku Water Supply expansion project is completed (100%) while the rehabilitation of the existing plant (14,000 m3/d) is on-going. The new plant was commissioned by H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor on 21st February, 2007. Water delivery to the beneficiary towns and villages; namely Odoben, Bawjiase, Nyarkrom, Swedru, Dawurampong and Abodom has improved tremendously.
An amount of €4.1million has also been approved by ORET for the execution of additional works, including the replacement of the existing 250mm pipeline to Senya Breku and Buduatta. Etwakura and Dominase would also benefit from the additional distribution works. Work is about 85% completed.
(viiii) Baifikrom (Mankesim) Water Supply
The contract for this project has already been signed with Spaans Babcock at a cost of €25.76m. Actual construction began on 2nd February, 2007 and the contractor has 30 months to complete the project. The major towns that will benefit from this project include Mankesim, and surrounding communities, Saltpond, Abandze, Anomabu, Asofea etc. Overall completion is about 55%. Work at treatment plant is also progressing steadily.
Koforidua Water Supply
An amount of €38.5m has been secured from the Belgian Government for the execution of this project. Works include the construction of a new intake and water treatment plant of 3.5 million gallons per day to be built at Oterkpolu on the Volta River. The project will ensure adequate water supply to the Koforidua Municipality and its environs.
Tamale Water supply
Construction works on the €45m. Tamale Water Supply project started on 18th August, 2006 and the contractor is expected to complete the project in 24 months. The completion of the project will help solve the perennial water problems confronting the Tamale metropolis and its surrounding communities. Percentage completion is about 45%. The project will enhance the Guinea worm eradication campaign and improve upon socio-economic activities in Tamale and its environs.
Wa, Yendi and Damango Water Supply
The Government through the African Development Bank (AFDB) is securing funding for the design and possibly the construction of water supply treatment plants to meet year 2020 demand for Wa, Yendi and Damongo (Three Towns Water supply).
Sunyani Water Supply
Feasibility studies and preliminary design of the Sunyani Water Supply Expansion Project have been completed by Messrs Lemna International Inc. of Minneapolis, USA at a cost of US$365,071.
Currently, Messrs Lemna International Inc. is arranging for funding through concessionary sources at China Guandong Bank for the execution of the project.
Kumasi Water Supply Project
Negotiations on the Kumasi Water Supply Project are completed and works contract was signed with Messrs Taylor Woodrow on 20th March, 2007. The project is estimated to cost €37.8m.
Works include rehabilitation and expansion of both the Owabi and Barekese plants, to increase clear water production by an additional production of ten million gallons per day.
Sogakope-Lome Water Supply Project
This involves feasibility studies and preliminary design, as well as the construction of a new intake, on the Volta River at Sogakope, the construction of 40-70 million gallons per day capacity treatment plant to meet 2030 demand, transmission from Sogakope to Segbe, distribution pipelines in the riparian villages and communities within the project area of Ehie, Denu, Anyako, Klikor, Akatsi, Aflao etc.
The total project cost is estimated at US$118,209,869 including project financing with a completion period of 36 months.
Kwahu Ridge and Begoro Water Supply
Negotiations are far advanced to tackle the Kwahu Ridge and Begoro Water Supply systems.
In the meantime time, the Ghana Water Company Ltd. (GWCL) has drilled six (6) boreholes within Begoro at Odumase, SDA area and Bontrase with distribution lines. Mechanisation of the project is expected to cost about US$3.5m.
Navrongo, Techiman and Konongo
Khafra Engineering has submitted to GWCL, financial and technical proposals on the above projects. This has been reviewed and the contract is yet to be signed. The works as submitted is provisionally estimated to cost US$184 million.
Rural Water
The Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) has remained focused in its drive to ensure the provision of potable water to various Rural Communities.
Percentage coverage for rural water increased from 51.7% in year 2005 to 52.86% by the end of year 2006, and it is expected that about 85% of the rural population would be covered by the year 2015.
On going or recently completed Rural Water and Sanitation projects include:
. African Development Bank (AfDB) Rural Water and Sanitation project for Ashanti Region which will put up about 806 boreholes over the period 2004-2008.
· KfW funded Rural Water and Sanitation programme (RWSP) phase four with a grant of €11.5m. is also expected to provide a thousand (1,000) Boreholes in the Ashanti Region over the period 2004-2008.
· Agence Française de Developpement (AFD) Rural Peri-urban Water Supply and Sanitation project will construct about 112 hand dug wells and 621 boreholes equipped with hand pumps over the period 2008-2012.
· Danida funded Water Supply and Sanitation Programme is expected to provide a total of 1150 point sources by the end of 2008.
· The Northern Region Rural Water and Sanitation Project (NORWASP) which is funded by the CIDA, Government of Ghana and the District Assemblies, as at the end of year 2006, delivered 532 boreholes fitted with pumps, 26 hand dug wells and 7,604 household places of conveniences.The AFD Rural Water and Sanitation Project in the Northern Region has provided 170 boreholes fitted with hand pumps, rehabilitated 49 boreholes and constructed 72 institutional KVIP latrines.
The total number of boreholes with hand pumps currently stands at 18,023 throughout the whole country. In addition, there are 4,452 hand-dug wells equipped with hand pumps.
Small Towns Piped Systems
Within a little over a decade of implementing the National Community Water and Sanitation Programme (NCWSP) there has been a significant increase in the provision of Water and Sanitation facilities to rural communities and small towns in Ghana. Delivery figures for piped systems now stand at 185 for Small/Rural Communities Schemes, 103 small Towns, making a total 288 newly constructed piped systems.
Hygiene Promotion
The campaign to promote hand washing with soap was aimed at improving personal hygiene especially among feeding mothers, childcare providers and children in order to minimise the incidence of diarrhoea which has been established to be the second biggest killer of children globally. The “OBAATAN PA – HOHORO. WO NSA” was adjudged the best television advert in 2003 by CIMG and awarded accordingly.
B. HOUSING
Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, permit me to rest the discussions on water at this stage and tackle housing. There is no gainsaying that the Government of the NPP places a high premium on the provision of adequate and affordable housing to meet the high demand caused by rapid population growth, coupled with an uncontrollable rate of urbanisation. Various data on housing in the country disclose a backlog of about 500,000 housing units while supply figures are between 25,000 and 40,000 units per annum, as against an annual requirement of 100,000 units.
Affordable Housing Programme
The Government as part of its drive to provide adequate housing launched the Affordable Housing programme in 2005, with a plan to build 100,000 housing units for the middle and low income groups through Public Private Partnerships.
Work is progressing steadily at Six (6) sites, namely Borteyman and Kpone in the Greater Accra Region, Asokore-Mampong in the Ashanti Region, Koforidua in the Eastern Region, Tamale in the Northern Region, and Wa in the Upper West Region. The programme will eventually be extended to all Regional Capitals.
Government has to date committed over 300 Billion cedis.
Investors in Government's Housing Programme
A number of investors have also shown interest in the Government Affordable Housing Programme and have indeed signed Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry to construct some affordable housing units.
Establishment of Engineering Council
The Ministry has submitted the Draft Engineering Council Bill to Cabinet for consideration and approval, after which it will be laid before Parliament.
The establishment of the Council will go a long way to instill professionalism and discipline in the design and construction of buildings and also introduce a code of ethics to guide the behaviour of all actors in the engineering field.
Rural Housing
The Department of Rural Housing is introducing improved earth construction technologies in ten (10) communities (one per region) to promote the construction of quality houses at cheaper cost.
Local artisans are trained to use pozzolana as a cheaper but effective alternative to cement on projects being carried out by the Department at Yawmatwa in the Bia District of the Western Region.
The youth are being trained to produce and use earth paints for coating wall surfaces in homes and at the same time an income earning activity in selected locations in the regions.
Local Contractors and artisans are trained to produce and use compressed earth bricks and Micro concrete roof tiles for the construction of 15No. Tourists Receptive Centres for the Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Affairs.
The DRH has submitted a Project proposal to the Ministry of Manpower, Youth and Employment on the creation of Strategic centres for youth training in construction skills for them to be gainfully employed in housing construction activities on sustainable basis throughout the country.
The DRH has also developed fuel wood efficient kiln for use by brick makers. These kilns, apart from using less wood, reduce considerably the extreme hot environment in which brick producers fire their products.
Tema Development Corporation
Mr Chairman, Tema Development Corporation (TDC) was incorporated for the development of a comprehensive township to provide accommodation for the numerous workers that were to be employed by the industrial activities to be created by the synergy of the construction of the Tema Port and the Akosombo Dam.
TDC has since:
Provided residential accommodation to over half a million people to date within 21 planned Communities in Tema.
Developed underground sewerage system linking 11 Communities, the largest of this sort in the country.
Developed a 16 acre commercial site and service area for Communities 21 and 22.
Developed 400 Shops and Offices in 9 Communities with the latest in Communities 18 and Community 20. (under construction).
Developed Kpone Car Market – (20 acres) for over 50 car dealers
Developed industrial sites and services on 152 acres of land at Kpone and allocated plots to approximately 31 industrial companies such as Sanbao Pharmaceuticals, Mina Chemicals, Moving Water Ltd., Lassia Seafood Company and Ghana Shandong Netting Ind. Ltd.
Developed the Tema Town Centre into a modern commercial area.
Developing a new community comprising over 700 serviced plots i.e. Community 25 which is 95% complete.
State Housing Co. Ltd.
State Housing Company (SHC), Ghana's Premier and the only nation wide Real Estate Developer, was established in 1956 to plan, develop and manage Housing estates through out the country.
SHC has since established ninety-four (94) Housing Estates consisting of 31,220 housing units, country wide.
SHC is currently working on a new Housing Estate on a 234 acre land near Buduburam known as the Winneba Road Estate. The estate is planned for 1200 housing units out of which 85 are completed. It has another site of 181.2 acres at Kpone- Bawaleshie which will be developed into serviced plots.
Peduase Lodge Refurbishment
Refurbishment of the Peduase Lodge is on-going and is currently over 80% complete. It will be ready for use by June, 2008.
Keta Sea Defence Project (KSDP)
Ladies and Gentlemen, the US$84.0 million Sea Defence Project comprising 6 groynes, a 783 metre revetment, 8.5 kilometre, main link and cross roads between Havedzi & Keta, 272 hectares of reclaimed land and a 20 bay flood control structure has been completed and functional.
Construction of 836 resettlement houses for displaced inhabitants is ongoing with 254 houses having been completed and occupied, and 190 are at various stages of completion.
Korle Lagoon Ecological Restoration Project (KLERP)
Mr Chairman, Stage III works, estimated at about €18.0 million and involving the removal of accumulated silt and other materials in the three feeding canals Kaneshie, Odaw and Agbogbloshie are nearing completion.
The waste water treatment plant, a 75 metre long interceptor weir and the 2.3 kilometre long new sea outfall pipe have been completed and functional and pre feasibility studies for a sewerage treatment plant to an expanded scope of KLERP has been completed.
To make the whole KLERP achieve the desired and maximum benefit, the lower and upper lagoons are to be dredged.
Elmina Benya Lagoon Restoration Project (EBLRP)
Work has started on the approximately €12.0 million project with about 43% of the works on dredging of the 1200 metre long lagoon and breakwater works completed.
It is expected that the project will be completed by end of this year to allow safe passage and berthing of about 500-700 fishing canoes/vessels which in turn will enhance the socio-economic activities of the community.
ADA –Coastal Protection Works & Volta River Estuary
Ladies and Gentlemen, an assessment study conducted with Dutch Government financial support has been completed since February 2007 and negotiations are currently going on with the International Donor Community for funding to support the next stage of project implementation.
Dredging of the Densu River at Nsawam
Channel improvement works as a flood control measure, estimated at about ¢5.6 billion on the 1000 metre stretch of the Densu River at Nsawam is progressing steadily and 100,000 cubic metres of sand has also been dredged and delivered at the Affordable Housing Project sites at Kpone and Borteyman.
Flood Control and Coastal protection Works
Mr Chairman, reduction in the incidence of flooding in some parts of Accra has been achieved as a result of channel improvement works undertaken by the Ministry on some primary drains in the city.
The Government’s interventions at some critical areas undergoing sea erosion along the shoreline fronting the coast at Dixcove, Shama, Axim, and Ngyiresia all in the Western Region, have been going on with HIPC support. However, the contract for the Ngyiresia project has had to be terminated for non-performance by the Contractor. Works at Dixcove, Shama and Axim will continue while the contract for the completion of Ngyiresia project is being re-packaged for award.
Tamale Storm Water Drainage Project -TSWDP
The US$10.0 million contract jointly financed by BADEA & the Government of Ghana for the improvement of flood control and sanitation systems in the Tamale metropolis with particular attention to the Central Business District has been completed.
The positive impact of this project has been witnessed by the performance of the drains, during the recent rains, as its absence could have resulted in damages to life and property in the Central Business District of the metropolis.
Thank you for your attention!.
Posted: 06/11/07