BY JOACKIM KULE
The Ministry of Water and Environment has commissioned and handed over a complete solar powered Water Supply System to the communities of Katholhu Parish in Nyakiyumbu sub –county, Kasese district.
The solar powered water project codenamed “Bwengo Solar Powered water System” worth over shillings 400 million that was officially handed over yesterday serves the communities living in the villages of Katholhu, Bwengo, Kitaturwa and Kathikali.
It was funded by the United Kingdom Export Finance and contracted by Nexus Green.
Targeting a population of approximately 3,258 people, the solar powered water system has a capacity of supplying 4,000 liters per hour with a 20,000 liter holding reserve tanks.
While handing over the project to the beneficiaries and the district leadership, at Katholhu Health Centre II, Mr. Ronald Isingoma, the Ministry of Water Engineer, explained that the initiative was to provide safe and reliable water to the people so as to eliminate cases of poor hygiene and sanitation.
He however told the gathering that the beneficiaries would be held liable for paying some affordable user fees to facilitate the operations and maintenance of the project.
The Kasese District Water Engineer, Mr. Patrick Ndungu Syaipuma, told that the communities that in addition to the project, government was also constructing other mega projects in various sub counties for the residents to have access to safe water.
He observed need for the beneficiaries to work towards the sustainability of the project that is predicted to last for more than 20 years.
The Kasese Deputy RDC in-charge of Bukonzo County, Lt. (Rtd) Maate Magwara said extending water to the communities was in line with the NRM manifesto (page 68) which highlights the implementation of equitable service delivery including water and health.
He implored the consumers to utilize the project properly in order to improve their health conditions so that they don’t suffer from diseases emanate from poor hygiene and sanitation.
The Kasese District Principal Assistant Secretary, Mr. Mustafa Kikusa appealed to the leaders from other sub-counties to start the process of securing land on which to establish, adding that government was committed to giving safe water to the citizens.
Speaking in a jovial mood, some of the beneficiaries told the press that were happy for the government’s initiative, revealing that they had been depending on flowing water from River Kyanzi that is sometimes associated with contamination.
ENDS