GNA: Kloma Gbi and Kloma Hengme, two youth groups in the Krobo area, have jointly petitioned the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to compel Ghana Water Limited to restore water supply to communities.
According to Ghana News Agency, the groups stated that the disruption in water supply, caused by the construction works on the Somanya-Odumase-Kpong road, had entered its sixth month, causing significant inconvenience to residents of communities such as Sawer in the Yilo Krobo Municipality and Atua South, Kodjonya, and Odumase South in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality.
The youth groups emphasized that restoring the water supply would help prevent potential agitation among residents. They urged the regulator to investigate the root cause of the delays on the part of Ghana Water Limited in repairing the pipelines and to hold responsible parties accountable. This call is in line with Section 13 of the PURC Act, 1997 (Act 538), which empowers the Commission to investigate consumer complaints.
The petition, available to the Ghana News Agency, requested the PURC to engage with Ghana Water Limited, General Constructions Limited (the contractors working on the road), and other relevant stakeholders to expedite the repair of the damaged pipelines. The groups referenced Section 12 of the Act, which obliges utility providers to ensure reliable, adequate, and efficient services.
Furthermore, the youth groups urged the PURC to establish a clear timeline for restoring water supply to the affected areas and communicate this information to the public. They emphasized the necessity for compliance under Sections 3 and 13 of the PURC Act, which mandates the monitoring and enforcement of public utilities' obligations.
The groups also appealed to the Commission to ensure that no such damage to underground pipelines and resultant disruption of water supply to the communities were left unattended for prolonged periods as construction works continue.
Speaking on behalf of Kloma Gbi, Mr. Henking A. Adjase-Kodjo, Director of Communications, expressed that the lack of access to water for such an extended period was unacceptable. "This has left the citizenry increasingly agitated," he added.
Dr. Eric Tamatey Lawer, General Secretary of Kloma Hengme, urged the PURC to explore possible compensation for affected residents. He indicated that "the prolonged disruption in water supply, which caused a great deal of inconvenience to the consumers, represents a failure to meet acceptable service standards contrary to Sections 12 and 13 of the PURC Act."
Copies of the petition were also served to the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, the Konors of Manya and Yilo Krobo, Members of Parliament for both Yilo and Lower Manya Krobo constituencies, the Ghana Police Service, and the Coordinating Directors of the Yilo and Lower Manya Krobo Municipalities.
Meanwhile, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission, in a letter signed by the Eastern Regional Manager, Madam Kesewa Appenteng-Addo, acknowledged receipt of the petition. The Commission noted that it was actively working to resolve the matter and hoped to make significant progress by Thursday, January 23, 2025.