Dzodze ,a town widely known for her abundant production of Palm oil,happens to be the capital of the Ketu Norh Municipal in the Volta Region.
In recent times, access to potable water has been a headache for residence, prior to this,the most outspoken Youth Club called “Dzodze Youth Club” led by Mr King Nobert Akpablie has released a press address to Petition the government.
Excerpt of the release reads ;
MR PRESIDENT, DZODZE NEEDS WATER
The youth of Dzodze and entire residents have observed with worry, how Government and Community Water and Sanitation Authority(CWSA) are handling the water crisis in the Municipal Capital
It would be recalled that government during the Covid-19 pandemic introduced an intervention for access to water free of charge to consumers across the country. This came with a promise to re-imburse service providers with funds spent in supplying the uninterrupted water.
Dzodze Water Board(DWB) under the supervision of Community Water and Sanitation Authority(CWSA) provided the water to residents free of charges throughout the period of intervention. The amount submitted by the Board in the first quarter was Five Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHC500,000). After a validation, the CSWA said they could only pay an amount of Four Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand cedis (GHc425,000). The said validated amount is yet to be paid.
Several efforts have since been made by the Board and the Dzodze Urban Council to retrieve the money but all to no avail. The delay in payment have affected production of water in the area. Most of the pumps at the water stations have broken down because there were no cash to carry out periodic maintenances. They needed to be replaced. The Board can no longer afford to even treat the little amount of water they generate to manage the crisis.
Interestingly, we reliably observed that payments were made to Water Bourds of adjoining towns.
We, as youth group are not only worried about the seeming discrimination by government but also the brunt of the crisis on the ordinary residents. It is difficult to access portable water in town. The only stream called Kplikpa, from which the people draw water has now been taken over by cattle. On daily basis, children and women go on fruitless search for water. Water is needed to manage activities in homes, run hospitals, schools, hotels, offices and other public places. But a harvest for a drop of water in Dzodze comes with challenges. This is a ticking time bomb that could explode to health outbreaks and socio-economic instability in the area.
Our worry heightens when we cannot see any clear commitment from government towards payments of its debts owed the Board. By this release, we are reminding government of her commitments towards welfare of our people, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic and her promises to cushion ordinary citizens.
We are also calling on CSWA to facilitate the retrieval of the locked up funds needed to revamp our grounded water system. We may be forced to take unconventional means to retrieve our funds.
Finally, we are encouraging all stakeholders and prominent citizens to intervene in this crisis. Dzodze needs water, Dzodze needs help
Thank you.
…signed…..
King Nobert Akpablie
Director of Communications
Mob: 0241145874
