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24th October, 2011
CHECK CORRUPTION IN WATER SECTOR
THE Ghana Integrity Initiative has come out with very worrying revelations about some goings-on in the water sector, which require immediate government attention.
In a report titled ‘National Water Supply Integrity Study’, it levels a number of allegations of corruption on the sector, and notes also that the country does not have any specific law on water.
The Times finds it strange that there is no law regulating the sector, because of the value of water in the lives of the individual citizens and the importance that the government places on its development and efficient management.
The report lists the various forms of corruption, among them, bribery, meter tampering and collection of illegal connection fees, and accuses the technicians of the water companies of engaging in the illegal connections.
But by far, the most damning aspect of the report is the charge that the water companies have been engaged in practices which do not promote transparency in the award of contracts.
For instance, a single contractor is allowed to purchase and price all the bidding documents, thus effectively eliminating competition, resulting in the contract being awarded to that particular contractor.
We find these practices very irregular and a recipe for corruption. No wonder, the report alleges that “corruption exists and involves some high-ranking officials, some within the government!”
The Times is much concerned by the contents of this report because the nation has for years, been grappling with the problems in the water sector.
There has been inadequate and inefficient supply of water throughout the country, and some communities have had to go for weeks and months without water flowing through their taps.
In the rural areas, most communities rely on rivers and other water bodies which are mostly contaminated and, therefore, unsafe for human consumption, because the companies and officials entrusted with the job have woefully failed to manage the water, for the benefit of the citizenry.
In view of the revelations in the report, the Times wishes to call on the government to institute immediate measures to overhaul the entire sector to ensure the efficient production and distribution of water to the people countrywide.
We also emphasise the need for the strengthening of anti-corruption tools and empowering the sector agencies to implement them.
Water is life, thus, we cannot afford to toy with it!
In a report titled ‘National Water Supply Integrity Study’, it levels a number of allegations of corruption on the sector, and notes also that the country does not have any specific law on water.
The Times finds it strange that there is no law regulating the sector, because of the value of water in the lives of the individual citizens and the importance that the government places on its development and efficient management.
The report lists the various forms of corruption, among them, bribery, meter tampering and collection of illegal connection fees, and accuses the technicians of the water companies of engaging in the illegal connections.
But by far, the most damning aspect of the report is the charge that the water companies have been engaged in practices which do not promote transparency in the award of contracts.
For instance, a single contractor is allowed to purchase and price all the bidding documents, thus effectively eliminating competition, resulting in the contract being awarded to that particular contractor.
We find these practices very irregular and a recipe for corruption. No wonder, the report alleges that “corruption exists and involves some high-ranking officials, some within the government!”
The Times is much concerned by the contents of this report because the nation has for years, been grappling with the problems in the water sector.
There has been inadequate and inefficient supply of water throughout the country, and some communities have had to go for weeks and months without water flowing through their taps.
In the rural areas, most communities rely on rivers and other water bodies which are mostly contaminated and, therefore, unsafe for human consumption, because the companies and officials entrusted with the job have woefully failed to manage the water, for the benefit of the citizenry.
In view of the revelations in the report, the Times wishes to call on the government to institute immediate measures to overhaul the entire sector to ensure the efficient production and distribution of water to the people countrywide.
We also emphasise the need for the strengthening of anti-corruption tools and empowering the sector agencies to implement them.
Water is life, thus, we cannot afford to toy with it!
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