The Talensi District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. John Millim Nabwomya, has outlined a number of interventions undertaken by the Talensi District Assembly in the areas of water and sanitation since he assumed office.
Hon. Nabwomya made the disclosure during an exclusive engagement with Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of Apexnewsgh on the “SPEAKOUT UPPER EAST” programme.
According to the DCE, the Assembly has consistently observed the National Sanitation Day since the initiative was introduced by the government in September last year, with no month skipped.
He explained that at the beginning of each month, the Environmental Health Directorate, in collaboration with other relevant departments, identifies a community, market or other public area for the sanitation exercise.
He said traditional leaders, including chiefs and Tindamas, assembly members, queen mothers and other opinion leaders are informed ahead of the exercise to ensure broad community participation.
Hon. Nabwomya cited the Tindongo Market as one of the locations where the exercise has been successfully undertaken, noting that the Assembly had visited the market several times as part of efforts to maintain sanitation standards.
He said the exercise would continue across different communities in the district.
On access to potable water, the DCE disclosed that the Assembly has so far handed over 25 boreholes to communities.
He explained that some of the boreholes have been fitted with hand pumps, while others have been mechanised to improve access to water.
He also noted that some government facilities, including the police station, Assembly offices and senior staff bungalows, previously depended on community water systems, which were often unreliable.
To address the challenge, the Assembly has mechanised boreholes to serve some of these facilities.
The DCE added that an additional 15 boreholes have already been drilled and are currently undergoing construction and other finishing works before they are handed over to beneficiary communities.
Hon. Nabwomya also commended Republic Bank for supporting water supply in Pwalugu.
He explained that Pwalugu had experienced serious challenges with access to water, with drilling attempts initially failing at several locations.
According to him, Republic Bank responded after the water challenge in the community was highlighted in the media as part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.
He said the bank drilled at about three different locations before finally striking water at a suitable site.
The borehole was subsequently mechanised and handed over to the community.
Hon. Nabwomya said the facility is expected to provide water to approximately 1,000 households in Pwalugu.
The DCE further disclosed that he personally purchased a polytank to address an urgent water challenge in Pwale, in the eastern part of the district.
He explained that the community’s existing polytank had burst, forcing women to walk long distances in search of water.
After the assembly member appealed to him for assistance, Hon. Nabwomya said he decided to personally finance the purchase because following the Assembly’s procurement procedures would have taken time.
He said he subsequently handed over the polytank to the assembly member and youth leaders of the community, who transported it to Pwale for use.
According to him, the intervention has reduced the burden on women who previously spent considerable time searching for water and has helped them return to their economic activities.
Hon. Nabwomya also disclosed that about 15 young men have been engaged and deployed as Blue Water Guards to help protect water resources in the district.
He said the guards were handed over to the Assembly and are being deployed to monitor water bodies and help prevent pollution resulting from economic activities.
He explained that protecting water sources is important to safeguarding the health of residents and ensuring the sustainability of water systems within the district.
In the area of waste management, the DCE said the Assembly has secured a site for a dumpsite at Yameriga through the appropriate legal processes.
He said the move is intended to improve waste management and support efforts to protect the environment and public health.
To further strengthen the work of environmental health officers, Hon. Nabwomya disclosed that the Assembly has procured three brand-new motorbikes to facilitate their movement across communities.
He said the motorbikes would enable sanitation officers to travel to different locations to monitor sanitation activities, enforce environmental health standards and respond to sanitation challenges more effectively.
Hon. Nabwomya said the Assembly would continue to collaborate with traditional authorities, communities, development partners and other stakeholders to improve access to potable water and strengthen sanitation across the Talensi District.
He maintained that sustained community participation and effective monitoring remain essential to ensuring that investments in water and sanitation translate into lasting improvements in the lives of residents.
The engagement formed part of Apexnewsgh’s “SPEAKOUT UPPER EAST” programme, which provides a platform for district leaders to account to the public on development initiatives, achievements and challenges.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com