Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, has vowed to take decisive actions to stop the destruction of water bodies by illegal miners.

He said massive security operations would be launched to clamp down on illegal mining (galamsay), which was destroying the country’s rivers and streams.

This would also target chainsaw operators who have invaded the catchment areas and intake points of dams that supply water to the population.

Alhaji Dauda said this after touring the Barekese and Owabi Head-works of the Ghana Water Company on Tuesday.

Water, he said, was life and described illegal miners, wreaking havoc on water bodies “as enemies of the development of the country”.

He said they would not be allowed to have their way, adding that, the operation to rein them in would be intensive and sustained.

Alhaji Dauda spoke of a proposed project to de-silt the Owabi dam to enable it to operate at full capacity to improve the water situation in the Kumasi metropolis.

The dam has the capacity to produce 12 million gallons of water a day but it is currently doing only three million gallons due to heavy siltation.

The Barekese dam, with a daily production capacity of 30 million gallons, now produces 24 million gallons a day as a result of frequent power fluctuation.

The Minister said government was doing everything to ensure that residents of the metropolis got the required amount of water for their daily activities.

He said efforts were also being made to provide water to other towns and communities in the region.

Source: GNA