MP for Suaman queries Minister over Absence of drinking Water in Karlo Community
Over 2000 residents of Karlo Community in the Suaman Constituency of the Western North Region, do not have access to drinking water for over two decades, Member of Parliament for the area, Hon Joseph Betino has said.
According to him, the few available boreholes drilled years ago are currently insufficient to serve the growing population.
The boreholes, two of them were drilled under late President Jerry John Rawlings regime, whereas the other was provided during the administration of former President John Dramani Mahama, but emerging new settlements in the area made the available boreholes insufficient.
The situation, the MP said has compelled most of the residents to scramble in streams and rivers in search of drinking water.
He said apart from the difficulties of trekking long distance to access water, the situation has also put the residents at a higher risk of communicable diseases and other health related issues.
As a result he dragged the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources to parliament to know if there are plans to intervene.
“Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources if there is any plan to provide small water system to the people of Karlo in the Suaman Constituency,” Mr Betino asked.
In response, the sector Minister, Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, said the Karlo community in the Suaman constituency has been provided with three boreholes, emphasizing One of the boreholes is mechanized and connected to three taps.
According to her, the other two are fitted with handpumps, but one has broken down.
She told parliament the government would in the short term ensure the handpump borehole is redeveloped and Provide additional six public standpipes to mechanize as well as Improve water supply.
“Mr Speaker, I wish to indicate that, the Ministry of Sanitation and
Water Resources is poised to provide the people of Karlo community
in the Suaman Constituency a Small Town Water System through
the Community Water and Sanitation Agency,” she said.
The Minister added that the government would make provision in the 2023 Annual Budget as well as solicit financial and
technical support from Development Partners.
But Hon Betino said though he believes the Minister and for that matter the government will intervene, there should be timeline.
He said waiting for the approval of the 2023 budget means that his people will continue to suffer in accessing water.
He expressed the hope the government would however honour and fulfill it pledge to provide water through the small town water system.for his constituents to benefit.
Source: expressnewsghana.com
About Author
