CHRAJ, SFO asked to investigate AVRLs

Accra, Oct. 14, GNA - The National Coalition Against Privatisation of Water (NCAP) on Wednesday asked the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Serious Fraud Office to investigate the activities of Aqua Vitens Rand Limited (AVRL) for financial impropriety.

"We will urge CHRAJ and the SFO to launch express investigations into the performance of AVRL and GWCL, using the Management Contract Performance which they signed with the government," it said.

Addressing the press in Accra on Wednesday, Mr. Al-hassan Adam, an Executive member of NCAP, claimed that a recent mid-term review held between the management of AVRL and GWCL indicated that AVRL was underperforming.

"According to GWCL, only one out of the four low lift pumps used to pump raw water into the treatment machine at Weija is working. Also at Inchaban Headworks in the Western Region, there is no dry season low lift= pump for raw water pumping," he said.

Mr. Adam said during the review, it also came out that most chemical dosage machines were obsolete and filters were not working properly. He said reports on water sales for 2007 and 2008 also indicated that they did not meet their annual targets.

Mr Adam called for a probe into the claim by AVRL that it deposited a profit of GH¢35 million into the accounts of the GWCL which had been refuted by the GWCL.

He again called on the management of AVRL to render an unqualified apology to Madam Hannah Bissiw and Alhaji Saani Iddi, Deputy Ministers for Water Resources, Works and Housing, for the treatment meted out to Mr. Libanus Quarshie, Local Union Chairman, for his interaction with the ministers.

"Mr Quansah was queried by the management of AVRL for revealing the company's 'secrets' to the ministers during their surprise visits to the Kpong Headworks

"This action by AVRL management smacks of lack of respect for the ministers and Mr. Quansah, as well as freedom of expression for the workers," he added.