Obosomase (W/R) March 3, GNA- Intermerc Ghana Limited, has began dredging the Obosomase and Daboase Intake points to enable the Ghana Urban Water Limited (GUWL) to extract enough water from the Pra River for production and distribution to consumers.

The project, which is estimated at GH?3.4 million, would take at least six weeks to complete would also involve the refurbishment of pumps and control panels at the intake points

Speaking to the media after a day’s visit to the project sites on Friday, Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, expressed satisfaction at the progress of work and urged the company to endeavour to complete the project on schedule.

He expressed concern about the illegal mining in the river and the destruction of the forest cover.

Mr Mensah called on chiefs, assembly members and opinion leaders in communities bordering the Pra River to assist to educate the people against mining in the water body as well as indiscriminate destruction of the vegetation.

He said the GUWL is producing about three million gallons of water daily instead of the expected six million gallons because of illegal mining in the river.

Mr Mensah said cost of producing clean water has also gone up due to the pollution of the river with chemicals used for the mining activities.