ENSURE SURVIVAL OF VRA — BAENA (PAGE 22, AUGUST 28, 2010)

THE Upper West Area Manager of the Northern Electricity Department (NED) of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Mr Nathaniel Baena, has stressed the need for Ghanaians to be more concerned about the survival of the VRA.
He said that was imperative because the development of the nation would be a mirage if the VRA should collapse.
“Ghanaians must be concerned about the survival of the VRA because if it collapses, the whole country would collapse. This is because without electricity, the nation cannot develop,” Mr Baena stated.
Mr Baena expressed the concern when the Upper West Regional Minister, Alhaji Issahaku Salia and his Deputy, Mr Caesar Kale called on the management of the VRA in Wa.
He was not happy about the irregular payment of electricity bills by the people.
Mr Baena said the tapping of electricity illegally by some residents of the area was also a matter of grave concern to the NED/VRA.
Alhaji Issahaku Salia and his entourage also called on the management of the Aqua Vitens Rand Limited (AVRL) where he was briefed on the water situation of the region.
The Regional Operations Officer of AVRL, Mr Ahmed Sorogho Tahiru, said the region had 17 mechanised boreholes out of which nine were automated.
He urged the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC) to see to the execution of two major projects for the region, namely the sinking of additional boreholes and the construction of a commercial treatment plant from the Black Volta to supply water to the people of Wa and its environs.
Alhaji Salia gave the assurance that the government was putting the necessary measures in place to improve on the quality of utility services across the country.
He also urged the two institutions to collaborate to ensure the provision of efficient services.