The Ministry of Water and Environment has trained Dokolo district councilors on community-based maintenance of water sources to promote good water hygiene and sanitation.
The training was held at the district council hall, Dokolo district headquarters.
Martin Nkurunungi, the Senior Sociologist from the Ministry of Water and Environment, speaking on behalf of the Regional Manager Lira Branch, Eng. Stanley Watenga said they have trained the district councillors, and that the area service providers will manage financial stability and maintenance of boreholes in the area.
Nkurunungi said they have started with engagement of district stakeholders, followed by district councilors, and later it will be rolled down to sub-counties for further implementation.
He explained that the Area Service Providers (ASP) will be responsible for collecting money from water users at all water points and will be accountable for the maintenance of boreholes in case of any breakdown.
He appealed to political leaders and other stakeholders to inspect and monitor the functionality of water points and urged Water Board Committees to sign Performance-Based Agreements (PBA) with Area Service Providers for effective project implementation.
The District Water Engineer, Dokolo, Qunitos Opio, said they will drill six boreholes, construct a piped water system in Bata Sub-county, and rehabilitate eight boreholes across the district. He appealed to local leaders to embrace and welcome the projects.
Daramoi Bob Ogwal, Councilor of Bata sub-county; Stephen Ogwang, councillor of Amwoma sub-county; and Christopher Odwe, councillor representing workers, among others, appealed to the Ministry of Water and Environment to establish the projects in town council.
The town council, they said, are where most people there live in rural-urban settings that need reliable water sources such as boreholes.
Tonny Odongo Ocen, the vice chairperson LC5 Dokolo and Area Councilor of Agwata sub-county, while closing the training, said the district has warmly welcomed the project and pledged total commitment and support towards the program for effective implementation.
Odongo urged the district councillors to roll down the projects to their various Sub-counties and town councils to improve good water hygiene for human consumption.
The Ministry of Water and Environment is implementing the Community-Based Maintenance project in nine districts in the Lango sub-region, including Dokolo, Amolatar, Kwania, Oyam, Otuke, Lira, and Alebtong districts, among others.
By Nasuru Hassan Ocen
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