The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) says it will review the terms of the $126 million desalination plant indefinitely shut down on New Year’s Day.
“We can’t tell for now because there is going to be renegotiation between us, government and the owners of the plant; when we are done with the negotiations then will implement the outcome,” Mr. Stanley Martey told 3news.com on Wednesday.
GWCL shut down the Accra Desalination Plant due to some outstanding management issues.
The plant serves Teshie, Nungua and surrounding communities, a GWCL statement signed by Stanley Martey, Head, PR /Communications said.
“In our bid to resolve the challenges with the Accra Desalination Plant that serves Teshie, Nungua and surrounding communities, the Management of GWCL has taken a decision to put the plant out of operation beginning 1st January, 2018,” the statement said.
Alternative arrangements, according to the statement, have been put in place by management to serve the supply area from the Accra and Tema Booster Stations.
“Hence, from the 1st of January, 2018, Teshie, Nungua and surrounding communities, served by the Desal Plant, will be served on Wednesdays and on weekends (Fridays to Sundays) from the alternative sources mentioned above.”
Affected areas include, Teshie, Nungua, Sakumuno. Laashibi, Communities 16, 17, and 18, Adogorno, Baatsonaa, Coastal Estates, Greda Estates, Regimanuel Estates, all on the Spintex Road, and surrounding Communities.
The statement did not mention when the Accra Desalination Plant would become operational again.
“In recent times, the GWCL has encountered some challenges with the Management of the Plant, as a result, water flow to the service area has been erratic.”
The GWCL statement pointed out that, “Management is taking the right steps in resolving the issues and will request of customers and the general public to bear with the company in these times.”
Mr. Martey admitted to 3news.com that managing the desalination plant has been very expensive, which is draining the limited financial resource of Ghana Water Company Limited.
Government was recently asked by the Public Utility Workers Union to reconsider the contract it signed with Messrs Befessa to build and operate the desalination plant.
This follows complaint by the GWCL that whilst they are incurring losses, the private company is making huge profit.
The Ghana Water Company Limited is reported to have said sometime last year that it loses GH¢ 6 million monthly by operating the Accra Desalination Plant.
The Plant was commissioned by former President John Mahama in April 2015 to process sea water into potable water for consumers in Teshie Nungua and surrounding areas.
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