MINING COMPANY REPAIRS DAM AT KONONGO (PAGE 35, DEC 9, 2010)

THE Konongo Traditional Council has commended the management of Owere Mines, a gold mining company in the town, for its prompt response to the rehabilitation of the Konongo dam which broke down recently.
The damage affected the free flow of water for domestic use, forcing the residents of Konongo to resort to the use of contaminated streams and rivers for domestic and other uses.
To avert the outbreak of any water-borne disease among residents during the water shortage period, the traditional council appealed to management of Oweri Mines to come to their aid and their response was swift.
According to the management of Owere Mines, the dam, which broke down as a result of the recent heavy downpour in the area was rehabilitated at a cost of GH¢55,000.
It added that the embankment of the dam was also filled with debris and silt, making it impossible for water to flow into the head station.
The chief of Konongo, Nana Batafo Akyeampong Nti, in an interview with Daily Graphic after management had handed over the dam to the Ghana Water Company, said the intervention by the mining company saved the residents from contracting water-borne diseases.
He said the dam was the only source of potable water for Konongo and its environs so when it broke down, residents had no alternative than resorting to the use of streams and wells, most of which were contaminated.
“When we contacted the mining company to help in rehabilitating the damaged dam, it did not hesitate by providing the necessary materials and funds to repair the dam to restore free flow of water so we are grateful for the support,” Nana Nti stated.
He said apart from supporting the community with potable water, the company had also supported the construction of a police station at Odumase to motivate the personnel of the Konongo Municipal Police to be effective in maintaining law and order.
Nana Nti appealed to the management of the company to employ the youth in the area who had employable skills to reduce the unemployment rate in the municipality.
The Project Manager of the company, Mr Roger Bannister, said apart from rehabilitating the dam, the mining company had also repaired the left side of the embankment of the main transmission line.
He explained that their quick response to the water crisis at Konongo was to “prevent its associated risk of contracting water-borne diseases”.