• “The cost varies between GHc230,000 to GHc 250,000.
• As we speak, we are constructing over 300 dams at various stages of completion.
• I have had the opportunity to visit some of these dams. There are two sites where the dams are between 60 to 70 percent complete,”
The Minister for Special Development Initiative, Mavis Hawa Koomson has told Parliament that the small earth dams under construction as part of the One Village One Dam (1V1D) initiative costs between GHC230,000 and GHC250,000.
There are concerns that the implementation of the policy has so far been poor following reports of shoddy work in the construction of some dams under the project.
“THE COST VARIES BETWEEN GHC230,000 TO GHC 250,000. AS WE SPEAK, WE ARE CONSTRUCTING OVER 300 DAMS AT VARIOUS STAGES OF COMPLETION. I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT SOME OF THESE DAMS. THERE ARE TWO SITES WHERE THE DAMS ARE BETWEEN 60 TO 70 PERCENT COMPLETE,” SHE SAID.
But answering questions in Parliament today [Thursday], Hawa Koomson said that over 300 dams are currently under construction and at various stages of completion.
“The cost varies between GHc230,000 to GHc 250,000. As we speak, we are constructing over 300 dams at various stages of completion. I have had the opportunity to visit some of these dams. There are two sites where the dams are between 60 to 70 percent complete,” she said.
In June this year, Hawa Koomson said the implementation of any programme will be met with some difficulties, however, the government is on course to successfully complete the 560 dams promised the people in the Northern part of the country.
The concerns over quality in the construction of the dams prompted President Nana Akufo-Addo to pledge to investigate the claims.
Government in the past has said that, contrary to reports of shoddy in the first phase of the project, they are impressed with the work done so far.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) continues to demand a complete overhaul of the project urging the government to realign its funding to produce standard dams.
Challenges with one village one dam initiative
There are concerns that the implementation of the policy has so far not been the best.
For example, the Upper East Region was allocated with 140 of the dams promised but only 40 are said to have been constructed so far, in all the 15 Municipalities and Districts of the region.
Out of the 40, some residents have complained that the dams had either dried up or were not built properly.
Credit to Source: Citinewsroom.com
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