ING. MATTHEW ADOMBIRE, BONABOTO NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, LAUNCHES BOOK

On 26th June 2008, a book written by Ing. Matthew A. Adombire was launched at the Conference Hall of the Ghana Institution of Engineers Centre at Roman Ridge in Accra. The title of the book is “Water Supply for the Consumer - A Concise Practical Guide”. It is a 227-page book and was published by the Science Press of the Institute for Scientific and Technological Information of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Ghana.

The function was ably chaired by the President of the Ghana Institution of Engineers. He commended the author for coming out with such a masterpiece and said the book could not have come at a better time than now that the campaign for conserving and preserving water in view of the water crisis in the country has intensified. He further urged engineers, especially the retired ones, to share their vast knowledge and experience by writing books.

Dignitaries in attendance included the Managing Director of Aqua Vitens Rand Limited- the Operator of Urban Water Supply in Ghana for and on behalf of Ghana Water Company Limited. The Managing Director of Ghana Water Company Limited was represented by Mr. Ebenezer Garbrah, the Chief Manager for Planning and Development. The Chairman of the Civil and Technical Division of the Ghana Institution of Engineers also graced the occasion.

In his remarks, the representative of the MD of GWCL said that the scarcity of potable water in spite of abundant water resources was of great concern to the GWCL. He commended the author for a book that would educate Ghanaians of the requirements for the production of potable water.

On his part, the MD of AVRL praised Ing. Adombire saying that he believed the author wrote the book out of passion for the subject. He acknowledged the expertise and professionalism with which Ing. Adombire treated the topic. He offered to buy copies for some of the staff to appreciate the service they provided their customers.

The function was also well supported by BONABOTO members who included Dr. Thomas Akabzaa, Lance Adoguba, Apana Adagzina, Joseph Atubiga, Mrs. Nabilla Williams, Samuel Sampana, among others. Some Dagaabas also came to give support and include Mrs Angeline Dormakyaare, Sonia Kwami, James and Winifred Mwinyele, Pamela Batiir, and others. Colleagues of the Author from both Ghana Water Company and Aqua Vitens Rand Limited both Ghanaian and Expatriate were present in their numbers as well.

Giving an overview of the book following his introduction by Dr. Akabzaa, the author, Ing. Adombire, said the book will help consumers understand the processes by which the water gets to them, educate them to conserve and preserve it for themselves and future generations, conscientise them to demand a fair service from the water supply companies, inform them about the obligations of the water supply companies and educate the customer to pay for the service rendered to ensure a better level of service for their convenience.

He said that certain malpractices carried out by water supply company staff and some members of the public are pointed out in the book so that a stop may be put to them for the good of every one. Customers have the right and duty to point out mistakes or non-performance of utility companies to them directly or through their staff. He acknowledged that consumers will be willing and eager to pay their bills promptly if in their candid opinion the utility is perceived to be performing efficiently within the constraints of the environment in which it operates.

The book is also a valuable reference material for staff of water supply companies to help them know their responsibilities and constantly remind them of public expectations of their performance. The water supply company will also have an idea about the performance of its staff and exercise proper monitoring and control of the operations for maximum public cooperation, sustainable operations and possible profit. The material in the book is also applicable to other utility companies in several respects and will be useful for operators and consumers of such utilities.

Furthermore, the author hoped that decision makers, be they managers, politicians or regulatory bodies, in reading the book, will understand the operations of water supply, support genuine operators of water supply systems and avoid unproductive interference into their operations.

The climax of the function was the launching which was done on behalf of Mr. Hayssam Fakhry of Interplast Limited by the Public Relations Officer of the same company in the person of Ms Elizabeth Owusu-Darko. This was because Mr. Hayssam was indisposed. The first copy was bought by the GWCL for GH¢500.00. the shelf price of the book is Twenty Ghana Cedis (GHC 20.00). At present, the book is sold at the Christ the King Church Book shop, the Ghana Institution of Engineers Centre and the Author. However arrangements are in place to have the book sold in popular bookshops such as the University book shops at KNUST and Legon, Presbyterian book shop, etc.

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