Two youth groups in the Krobo area, Kloma Gbi, and Kloma Hengme have petitioned the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to address a six-month-long water crisis affecting several communities.
The disruption in water supply, attributed to construction works on the Somanya-Odumase-Kpong road, has left residents in areas such as Sawer, Atua South, Kodjonya, and Odumase South in dire conditions.
Students in various senior high schools in the area are also feeling the brunt.
This is raising tension among the affected residents, who are threatening to protest against the water distributor if the problem is not urgently addressed.
Bismarck Tetteh, a resident told Starr News, that utility companies always take residents in the Krobo area for granted.
In the joint petition dated January 14, 2025, the Krobo Youth groups urged PURC to hold Ghana Water Limited (GWL) accountable under the PURC Act, 1997 (Act 538).
They requested an investigation into the delay in repairing damaged pipelines and demanded expedited action to restore water supply.
Some of the key demands outlined in the petition include PURC’s independent investigation into the root cause of delays and holding responsible parties accountable.
Additional they want PURC to engage stakeholders, including GWCL and General Constructions Ltd, to expedite repairs, establish and communicate a clear timeline for restoring water supply,ensure preventive measures are implemented to avoid prolonged disruptions during future construction projects.
The groups also want PURC to explore compensation for affected residents due to the prolonged inconvenience caused by the disruption.
Mr. Henking A. Adjase-Kodjo, Director of Communications for Kloma Gbi, described the situation as unacceptable warning that it is fueling growing agitation among residents.
Dr. Eric Tamatey Lawer, General Secretary of Kloma Hengme, bemoaned the failure to meet acceptable service standards from Ghana Water Company limited and called for accountability and compensation for affected residents.
Copies of the petition have been forwarded to the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, the Konors of Manya and Yilo Krobo, Members of Parliament for both Yilo and Lower Manya Krobo Constituencies, Ghana Police Service and Coordinating Directors of the Yilo and Lower Manya Krobo Municipalities
