Water shortage looms in Shama District
PWater shortage looms in Shama District and its environs as the Anankware river which serves as water source for the Nchaban Water Treatment Plant has been blocked from flowing to the plant for onward treatment.
Sam Doudu Quarry, a quarry company which operate near the river, blocked its flow to enable the company to mine boulders for the sea defence project at Amanfukuma in the Ahanta West District
The Anankware river, which is the main water supply to the treatment plant, treats and supply four million gallons a day for Shama, Sekondi, Aboaze and for industrial use at the Aboadze Thermal Plant.
The Western Regional Chief Manager of the Ghana Water Company Limited, Mark Teiko Cudjoe, told journalists that it was detected at the Nchaban Water Treatment Plant that the water level had reduced significantly, and so a team was dispatched to the river to find the cause.
“It was gathered that the contractor who was carrying boulders for a sea defence project at Amanfukuma has blocked the Anankware River in order to get access to an area to mine boulders,” he said.
Mr Cudjoe said, currently, the plant was producing 1.5 million gallons a day, which was woefully inadequate for the consumers.
The chief manager said the authorities had been informed about the looming disaster, due to the method the contractor was using.
“We are concerned about the activities of the contractor which might result in water shortage in the areas, because they solely depend on the Nchaban Water Treatment Plant.
“We have reported the development to the police, the Regional Coordinating Council, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other relevant bodies, so that the right thing will be done to forestall the occurrence of any disaster,” Mr Cudjoe said.
From Peter Gbambilla, Takoradi
