The government has constructed a sh1.2 billion sanitation and hygiene water scheme in Abako sub-county in Alebtong district to address the shortage of water in the four major institutions in the area and surrounding villages.

The project was commissioned by local government minister Raphael Magyezi on Thursday (April 25) at Alanyi Primary School.    

It will help to improve sanitation, access to clean and safe water and reduce the time the communities spend to look for water for domestic use.

Minister Magyezi said the project was financed by the Islamic Development Bank under the Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) project.

He said the LEGs project is being implemented in 17 core districts supported with economic infrastructure and revolving micro-finance.

The districts are Alebtong, Bunyangabu, Gomba, Kyenjojo, Kabarole, Katawi, Kumi, Nakaseke, Ntoroko, Kibuku, Adumani, Buikwe, Buyende, Luwero, Nwoya, Rukungiri and Tororo.

The project emphasizes development of water resources, value chain development, expansion and rehabilitation of rural infrastructures to enhance accessibility of rural community to services.

Water to benefit 800 households

Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua, who is also the Ajuri county MP, called upon the people of Alebtong to embrace government programmes such the Parish Development Model and Emyooga to eliminate poverty in their households.

He said the newly commissioned water project will serve four institutions, including Alanyi Primary School, St Thereza Secondary School, Alanyi Health unit, Alanyi Catholic Parish headquarters and 17 villages.

Obua said the government will also extend piped water to two major markets in Ajuri county, which help Alebtong district local government to generate local revenue.

The markets are Ajuri and Amugu.

The Alebtong district (LC5) chairperson, David Kennedy Odongo, said Abako sub-county, police station and Alanyi trading centre are among the beneficiaries.

He said 50 households are already been connected with water and that there is value for money in the project.

LC3 chairperson John Odongo thanked the government for the project, saying it comes as a relief for the people in the area.

“On behalf of the communities, I want to thank the government for their intervention and saving the lives of our people because for decades we have never had this kind of development."

Resident Dicken Okwir said the water project will help keep waterborne diseases at bay.

Silvesto Ocen, the LC1 vice-chairperson of Aconyobo viilage, where the water facility is located, asked government to fast track the process of extending water to every household in the area.

Julius Peter Odwe, the headteacher of Alanyi Primary School, said with the total population of 2,443 pupils, water has been a major challenge but now they are safe and able to move without any interference.

He said the district tried to construct a borehole in the school to save them in vain.