Mr Hamiza Zakaria, President of the Association of Small Towns Water Supply Systems has appealed to the government to consider reducing the tariffs on the water supply system for the sustenance of the system to serve the needs of the rural area. Mr Zakaria made the appeal at the inauguration of the association at Kintampo in Brong-Ahafo, under the theme, ”Ensuring the sustainability of the small towns water supply system in Ghana, the role of the government and stakeholders”. He complained that the major threat of the system was the high bills from the Volta River Authority (VRA) and the Electricity Company (EC) and if the government failed to address the situation the project might collapse in view of the “unrealistic” income as against expenditure. He said about 44 small town water communities formed the association to co-ordinate the management of the system to help improve and address challenges in the expansion of the project. He said the registered communities were in Ashanti, Western, Brong-Ahafo, Northern and Upper East regions. Mr Zakaria also expressed concern about how some Municipal and District Assemblies were reluctant to support the water system, though they owned the project and appealed to all stakeholders to ensure it is sustained. Mr Awudulai Razak, Kintampo North Municipal Chief Executive, commended the association and managers of the water system for their efforts and urged them to maintain the spirit. He called for a national frame work policy that would facilitate the expansion of the system to other places to help improve the health of the people for national development. The MCE commended the various foreign donors who helped in the project and pledged the Assembly’s support. Mr Mahamadu Mahama, Municipal Environmental Health Officer, who presided, advised the Assemblies to facilitate the provision of sanitation facilities in the communities. He urged landlords to provide places of convenience to promote sound environmental sanitation in the communities. Source: GNA