Minister Of Housing On Role Of Private Sector

Accra,(Greater Accra) 3 Nov. The private sector is expected to play a major role in the provision of water under the supervision of district assemblies, Mr. Isaac Adjei-Mensah, Minister of Works and Housing, said in Accra today. This is because the sector has the greatest potential and flexibility to respond to community needs for design and construction services, support for planning, operation and maintenance. This was contained in a speech read for him by the deputy minister Alhaji Amadu Seidu at a one-day workshop which aims at sensitizing stakeholders on their roles in the Water and Sanitation Programme for about 100 participants from the southern sector. Under the programme, the private sector, district assemblies, NGO's and donors are required to work in partnership with the Community Water and Sanitation Division (CWSD) to provide basic water and sanitation services to communities. Mr. Adjei-Mensah said the CWSD will assist the sector with technical back-up and training while the district assemblies will assist it to monitor operation and maintenance services in the communities. He said the district assemblies which will play a coordinating role are expected to establish water and sanitation teams and draw up plans to identify and priorities communities that need water. The assemblies are also required to pre-finance sanitation activities in the districts.