Free Water Directive To Cost Almost GH¢300m
April 14, 2020
Free Water Directive To Cost Almost GH¢300m
The government has got to mobilise nearly GH¢300 million. This is to settle the bills of all Ghanaians in April, May and June.
This is because the monthly bill of the Ghana waterworks Ltd (GWCL) averages GH¢95 million.
The Daily Graphic has also gathered that the waterworks also had to pay commissions. It is to vendors and compensations to non-public vendors who had invested in infrastructure. But had been asked to prevent selling the water and serve the community for free of charge .
“We’re yet to work out which amount are going to be given as compensation. We’re understanding the modalities to enable us to return out with the particular figures,”. A highly placed source at the corporate told the Daily Graphic on condition of anonymity.
Daily Graphic checks indicate that the indebtedness of ministries, departments and agencies. Whose bills are usually borne by the govt , also stands at GH¢137 million.
The amount represents a draw down on the debt figures.
Which wont to be higher in previous years. This indicate that the govt has been paying its bills to the waterworks. Although, not as quickly needless to say .
In his fifth address to the state on April 5, this year. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced that the general public would enjoy free water system. Which is from the GWCL for the months of April, May and June 2020. Also as a part of interventions to assist stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
As a part of precautionary measures to prevent the spread. Health experts have advised the washing of hands with clean water. It must be under running water for a minimum of 20 seconds and this needs access to uninterrupted water system.
Be re-categorised
A team of officers from the GWCL to some societies in the Greater Accra Region. They will examine the extent of obedience of the President’s Free Water’ directive. They also requested all customers of the waterworks categorized as domestic users. But who sold water to residents of their communities, to register with GWCL and be re-categorized. Which makes them eligible for the payment of commission or compensation during the free water system period.
Those customers, she added, should go to the district offices of the GWCL for registration and re-categorization.
Clarifying directive
A press statement signed and issued by the top of Public Relations/Communications of the GWCL, Mr Stanley Martey, said during the visit, the minister and therefore the team observed some teething challenges on the bottom and had to clarify some issues to enable a smooth implementation of the directive.
Ms Dapaah reiterated that each one customers of the GWCL, who were on Category 611 (Domestic) would from April to June, use water free of charge within the amount because the government would cater for their bills, but they might need to be registered and re-categorised if they decided to sell the water to their neighbours.
Landlord
To landlords and landladies who sell water to tenants and community members, Ms Dapaah said they need to allow the water to be used for free of charge from April, May and June and need to register with the district offices of the GWCL to be eligible for compensation.
All standpipes, she said, should be wont to serve citizens for free of charge and therefore the government would absorb the bill and pay commission or compensation to the vendors, while vendors were expected to still mount the standpipes and make sure the prudent and judicious use of water.
The minister also admonished the staff of GWCL to intensify their monitoring and supervisory roles to make sure effective service to Ghanaians.
She also urged the general public to be cooperative and collaborate altogether ways possible for a smooth implementation of the directive.
The Daily Graphic began to conduct random checks of things across the country.
Volta Region
Reports from Bright Afavi in Ho that some residents are still paying for water despite the President’s directive for water consumption to be free for subsequent three months.
Another resident also said: “Those selling the water aren’t obeying the directive from the President”, recounting that she had been paying for water since the announcement.
A vendor, however, explained that they only charged a token which might be channelled into repairs which can become necessary.
Source: peacefmonline.com