The Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson has ordered the Ghana Water Company to urgently demarcate the Daboase Treatment Plant’s buffer zones and halt activities within them.
The move aims to protect the 70 million euros water expansion project, which will supply 22 million gallons per day to Sekondi-Takoradi and surrounding communities, from encroachment by landowners claiming ignorance.
The Daboase water treatment plant, built in the late 1960s with a capacity of six million gallons/day, and the Inchaban plant, with four million gallons, struggle to meet demand for Sekondi-Takoradi and surrounding areas.
Illegal mining activities have increased water turbidity, reducing production from 6 million gallons per day to just above 16,000 gallons per day.
The water supply is further threatened by encroachment on buffer zones protecting the water source, especially during the dry season.
Gideon Asare Annor is the Western Regional Production Manager at Ghana Water Company Limited.
“As you can see, the buffer zone has been completely encroached upon, which means this river will likely dry up faster than usual during the dry season. This would render our 22 million gallons per day treatment plant idle, which would be unfortunate.
The encroachment is evident, especially since the area is prone to erosion.
“Ideally, the buffer zone should start further up to prevent runoff and protect the water source,” he said.
Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson, during his familiarisation visit to the Daboase Treatment Plant, directed Ghana Water Company to demarcate buffer zones urgently.
This move follows claims of ignorance by landowners. The Minister also instructed local chiefs to halt any planned activities within the designated zones.
“The chiefs who sold land within the buffer zone claim ignorance, stating they didn’t know it was a restricted area. To prevent further encroachment, I suggest installing signposts to clearly mark the buffer zone as a no-go area.
“If ignored, the law should take its course. I urge the District Chief Executive to address this issue with the chiefs, emphasizing that their actions are illegal and threaten the water supply for the metropolis and surrounding communities.
“We’ll ensure they understand that development won’t be allowed despite clearing,” he warned.
The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources and the GWL launched a seventy million Euros water Expansion project in Sekondi-Takoradi in May 2022.
Austrian firm Strabag was contracted to build a 22 million gallons per day Daboase water treatment plant.
During the Western Regional Minister’s visit, Strabag reported 86% completion, with an expected finish date of November 7, 2025.
Vlad Falup is the Project manager for the Strabag Engineering he explained that, “all main structures are complete. We’re currently working on the high-lift pumping station, which houses the pumps that will transport water to Inchaban and other pumping stations.
“The mechanical equipment is in place, and though the tanks are underground with structures above, we’re confident we’ll finish by November 7, 2025.”
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