Rural communities across the country have been assured of quality and affordable water systems free from contamination. The Acting Chief Executive of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, Clement Bugase, gave the assurance during his visit to the Garu-Tempane District of the Upper East region to inspect completed and on-going projects in the water and sanitation sector and also interact with beneficiary communities. Mr. Bugase was accompanied by the National Board Members of the CWSA as well as other dignitaries including the Member of Parliament for South Dayi Constituency of the Volta Region, Mr. A.Y.O Modoc who also happens to be a member of the board. They first paid a courtesy call on the District Chief Executive for the area, Mr. David Adakudugu at his office. Mr. Adakudu in his brief welcome address, called on the members of the board to place priority attention to the Garu-Tempane District when it comes to the distribution of water supply considering the dispersed nature as settlements for the people. He said since the area was carved from the Bawku Municipality in 2004, it has been grappling with the problem of water shortage though it is a densely populated area with a land mark of 1,300 spare kilometers. Mr. Adakudugu however emphasized the urgent need to provide more boreholes for the people especially those living in the remotest parts of Garu. Mr Bugase on his part entreated the assembly to make it a responsibility of taking care of the systems put in place with regards to its management drive. He disclosed that the completed borehole projects are for the beneficiary communities adding that the water boards are only set up to monitor, supervise and facilitate the operations of the facilities. He emphasized that his outfit is poised to deal with the technical aspect of the facilities when the need arises since the have the requisite and qualified expertise to cater for its maintenance. Mr. Bugase, later charged the assembly to establish acceptable and workable tariff systems to manage the facilities and also find possible ways of generating more revenue for the upkeep of the facilities. This way, he noted, will help in ensuring more boreholes for the people particularly those living in the remotest parts of the district. He said his agency covers about 50 percent of water coverage in the country and is poised to providing safe, quality and affordable drinking water for the people in the next 4-5 years. A member of the board, Mr. Demedeme Naa Lenason, , challenged the assembly to place priority attention to the issue of sanitation and make it a core component of their water management system to prevent the water from being polluted. He emphasized that his outfit have drawn up plans to build the capacity of the assemblies on sanitation, hence the need to attach great importance and seriousness on the issue of sanitation. During an interaction with stakeholders and some members of the community, the Board Chairman of CWSA, Mr. Francis Yaw Garko called for regular stakeholders meeting and cordial relationship with the assembly to share ideas as to how the systems could be managed to the benefit of all. He urged them to audit their accounts annually to ensure transparency and accountability at all levels. He commended the local board members for their hardwork and pledged his outfit support to them. The national board members accompanied by the DCE later took turns to inspect some completed and ongoing water projects including water pump stations in the district. They were impressed with the level of work and advised the assembly to ensure their maintenance in order to enhance their life span. The visit also took them to Kpatia, a community in Garu and Binduri in the Bawku Municipality where they interacted with the chiefs and people of the two respective areas on issues bordering on water and sanitation.
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