The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has blamed the acute water shortage that has hit Dzodze in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region on the Akufo-Addo-led-government.

According to the opposition party, the government’s failure to pay bills accrued for the distribution of free water to residents in the area during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic resulted in the inability of the Community Water Management Board to manage and repair their water supply system. 

“The government owes the Water Board an amount of GHS 425,000 for three months of free water supplied per an independent audit. Consequently, the bill has piled up for a year running into millions of Ghana Cedis owed by the government to the Community Water Board,” a statement signed by the Volta Regional NDC Communication Officer, Kafui Agbleze said. 

He was dismayed by the government's "refusal" to pay the bills even though it has received financial support and loans to cushion the fight against the pandemic. 

“The failure of government to pay the Water Board since April last year brings to question the commitment level of the government to the Sustainable Development Goal six (SDG-6) which seeks to ensure access to clean water by all.”

He added that “this SDG is under serious threat since most residents of Dzodze do not have access to clean water as a result of the failure of the government to pay for the free water the people used during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

“The lack of access to water in Dzodze is most unfortunate and regrettable as lactating mothers find it difficult to have access to clean water for bathing their babies, washing, and cooking. Others to have to resort to buying a Kuffuor gallon of water at GHS 2.00 from delivery trucks or tricycles, thereby exposing them to other forms of health hazards since much of this water is untreated,” he lamented. 

Mr. Agbleze, therefore, implored the government to pay the debt to enable the water board to restore supply to residents adding that “we are equally calling on the government to fast track the phase three of the five district water project and the provision of water to Ho township and parts of South Tongu”.