Apam, Aug. 14, GNA - Apam and its environs in the Gomoa West District have been without potable water for the past two weeks because the pipe lines are rusted. This came to light at a crisis meeting among Mr. Theophilus Aidoo-Mensah, District Chief Executive, Mr. Francis Kojo Arthur, Member of Parliament and Mr. J.K. Mensah, District Manager, Ghana Water Company at Apam.

Mr. Mensah explained that due to the rust, water they produced had become contaminated and unwholesome for human consumption. "We are afraid that if we do not lock the taps, people would use the water for drinking," he said and added that a budget had been presented to the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing for funds to buy plastic pipes to replace the rusted metal ones. Mr. Aidoo-Mensah expressed disappointment about how Ghana Water Company handl ed the issue without informing the consumers about the situation.

"This kind of abuse of power or position must stop. Utility service providers must realize the importance of their facilities to the people and must treat consumers with respect," he said. Mr. Aidoo-Mensah appealed to the assembly to buy "polytanks" to be placed at vantage points for the people to be served through tanker services.

Mr Arthur appealed to the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing to treat the budget submitted to it with the urgency it deserved to relieve the assembly from spending on tanker services. 14 Aug 09