Accra, June 6, GNA - Mr Alban S. K. Bagbin, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing on Monday challenged the Management of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to institute competent strategies in the operations of urban water system.

He pointed out that the focus should be production, transmission, distribution and collection of revenue.

Mr Bagbin made the call at the handing over of the Management and operations of the country's urban water sector by Aqua Vitens Rand Limited (AVRL) to GWCL in Accra.

The Government five years ago entered into a management contract with AVRL to operate and improve the country's urban water systems. However, over the period AVRL failed to deliver on its contractual agreement and pressures from civil society organisations compelled the government to abrogate the contract.

Mr Bagbin announced that Cabinet had approved a new governance structure for the sector to be managed by Ghana Urban Water Limited (GUWL) of GWCL.

He explained that under this arrangement, Ghanaians would be in-charge of the management for a year to show their worth and capability. Mr Bagbin expressed the hope that World Bank and Dutch Government that had made huge investments in the country's water sector would continue to assist GWCL in its operations.

He assured Ghanaians of effective leadership from the Ministry to ensure that GUWL positioned itself to deal with the problems and challenges in the urban water sector.

Mr Martin Nijsse, Managing Director of AVRL said when Management begun its operations in Ghana five years ago, its intention was to reduce non-revenue water by five per cent annually but could not achieve the target.

He said even though Management could account for a little over 50 per cent of water it produced, there could have been improvement to clarify issues.

Mr Nijsse said during its operations, AVRL established meter workshops in Accra and Kumasi, call centres for toll free enquires, house-to- house customer survey and provision of bulk meters to ensure reliable services to the urban population at an affordable price.

He noted that despite some difficulties in relations between AVRL and GWCL they learnt to respect each other over the five years. "We achieved the results together and without investment there would= be nothing to operate" he added.

Mr Kweku Botwe, Managing Director of GWCL assured the public of Management's commitment to ensure provision of reliable urban water supply. He said the new structure being instituted to manage the 81 urban water systems in the country would be 100 per cent owned by the State and managed by Ghanaians.

Mr Botwe said despite support from development partners for urban water systems more assistance was required to further extend services in the rapidly growing urban areas.