The Accra East Region of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has assured residents of Old Fadama that by the end of the first quarter of 2023, all spaghetti pipelines (long pipelines) would be disconnected.
The engagement was to educate residents about the effect of successfully constructing and completing 2.8 kilometres of 110mmHDP pipelines to the community to aid the free flow of water and also to stop pipelines passing through drains and gutters.
Speaking at the event, the District Head of Accra Central, Ms Salomey Tom, assured the community that the company is working hard to ensure that there is a free flow of water and also to reduce the wastage of treated water.
Giving a welcoming address, Ms Tom told the Republic Press that the community engagement is to sensitise the people about the completion of the construction work, the connection of pipelines to the new 2.8kilometre 110mmHDP lines and the provision of a metering system.
She said the project which started in July 2022, cost the company GH₡760,000.00 and therefore called on the community members to embrace the project by ensuring that they pay all their old debts to be migrated into the new lines.
The district head, therefore, warn customers not to deal with any private plumber or individuals in the area in relation to reconnection but rather report to the office for the proper procedure to be followed through.
The Regional Commercial Manager, Mrs Paulina Richter said since the community members were pre-informed before the commencement of the project, “we are here once again to tell you to measure put in place to ensure that there is adequate flow of water in Old Fadama and its environment is protected.
“Today’s engagement is for us to deliberate on how to get ourselves connected into the new pipelines and date and time to disconnect customers from the old lines,” she stated.
Mrs Richter said it would have cost each customer GH₡2000.00 to be reconnected to the new pipeline but the company has decided to bear the cost and connect the pipes free to the people.
“We have invested lots of money so we are looking for ways to recoup our money so the connection to the new lines would be based on a first come first serve basis.”
On the issue of metering
During a panel discussion, the community members rejected the initial plan of metering each pipeline but the Ewe Chief, Togbe Arku Sabah, who doubles as the secretary to all the 16 Traditional leaders in the area told the officials they will meet with the other community leaders and educate the people on the subject.
Ing. Emmanuel Annor Adjei of the District Distribution Office, Accra Central cautioned the people that the company would arrest and prosecute individuals who would engage in illegal connections and charged them to desist from the habit of using plumbs on pipelines.
