The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has directed the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to provide a clear timeline within five days for addressing the ongoing water crisis affecting parts of the Krobo area in the Eastern Region.
This directive follows a petition by two youth advocacy groups, Kloma Gbi and Kloma Hengme, highlighting the severe impact of a six-month disruption in water supply caused by ongoing construction on the Somanya-Odumase-Kpong road.
The damaged underground pipes have left residents in Sawer, Atua South, Kodjonya, and Odumase South without access to treated water.
In a letter dated January 14, 2025, and signed by PURC’s Regional Manager, Kesewaa Apenteng-Addo, the regulatory body requested GWCL to outline immediate steps taken or planned to restore water supply to the affected communities.
PURC’s Intervention
A team from PURC is set to visit the affected communities to assess the situation firsthand and hold a community engagement session.
This initiative aims to gather additional insights into the crisis and identify practical solutions.
The youth groups expressed their frustration with the prolonged water shortage and called for urgent action.
Kloma Gbi’s Director of Communications, Henking A. Adjase-Kodjo, praised the PURC’s swift response to their petition and expressed optimism that concrete measures would follow.
Similarly, Kloma Hengme’s General Secretary, Dr. Eric Tamatey Lawer, urged the PURC to ensure equitable water distribution in the Krobo area, stressing that the current shortage highlights a deeper issue of inadequate supply even before the construction disruptions.
Background
The water crisis, triggered by damage to underground pipes during road construction, has severely impacted daily life for residents in the Yilo Krobo and Lower Manya Krobo municipalities.
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The lack of potable water has forced many to rely on unsafe water sources, heightening concerns about public health and sanitation.
The advocacy groups insist that GWCL must act with urgency to restore water supply and address broader systemic issues affecting the Krobo area’s access to treated water.
Next Steps
The PURC’s intervention offers a glimmer of hope for residents, who are eagerly awaiting a resolution.
The regulatory body is expected to hold GWCL accountable for its response and ensure that the timeline provided leads to prompt action to alleviate the crisis.
