- Minister Lydia Alhassan visits Weija and Kpong Water Treatment Plants.
- She identifies funding, encroachment, and sand mining as major challenges.
- Encroachment is a significant issue, caused by nearby railway lines.
- Minister Alhassan promises to address these issues and secure funding.
Sanitation and Water Resources Minister, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, embarked on a fact-finding visit to the Weija and Kpong Water Treatment Plants to acquaint herself with their operations and tackle pressing concerns.
During her tour, she uncovered significant challenges hindering the optimal performance of the plants, including the need for funding to support expansion plans, encroachment on land, and the detrimental impact of sand mining activities.
The Station Manager of the Kpong Treatment Plant, Yaw Adjei, expressed grave concern over the encroachment on their land, attributing it to the construction of nearby railway lines.
He noted that the area was previously designated as a restricted zone, but the railway line has introduced a surge of people to the land, leading to rampant encroachment.
The Project Manager at the Weija Water Treatment Plant also highlighted the persistent struggle with encroachment and the need for ongoing demolition and prevention efforts to safeguard the plants’ land.
He explained that despite concerted efforts to demolish and prevent new constructions, people continue to build beyond the point of demolition, necessitating continuous monitoring and action.
Minister Alhassan assured that her ministry is collaborating closely with the Ministry of National Security to address these issues effectively and ensure the security of the plants’ land.
She confirmed that strenuous efforts are underway to secure funding for the continued expansion of the plants, including replacing old and dilapidated pipes to enhance water treatment and supply.
The Minister emphasized that securing funding to replace most of the pipes is a top priority on her agenda and that National Security is working tirelessly to resolve some of the challenges facing the plants.
Minister Alhassan’s visit and promises aim to address the challenges facing the Weija and Kpong Water Treatment Plants, ensuring improved water treatment and supply to the public and safeguarding the plants’ land from encroachment and sand mining activities.
