Water ministry awards best operators
Oct 20, 2008
The best operators in the water and sanitation sector during the 2007/08 financial year have been awarded. The awards, divided into different sub-sectors, were given out at the end of the 8th joint government/donor sector review at Hotel Africana in Kampala recently.
By Ben Okiror
The best operators in the water and sanitation sector during the 2007/08 financial year have been awarded. The awards, divided into different sub-sectors, were given out at the end of the 8th joint government/donor sector review at Hotel Africana in Kampala recently.
In the urban water supply sub-sector, Bright Technical Services (BTS) took the ‘Best Private Operator’ award.
It beat 15 other operators with 203 out of 245 points. The company was credited for submitting accurate and complete performance reports on time, timely response to repairs, adherence to work plans and collection efficiency.
The director of BTS, Patience Mwesigwa, attributed their success to motivation of workers by giving bonuses to those who meet the set targets.
BTS operates in the small towns of Lukaya, Kalungu and Bukomansimbi. Charles Muwonge, the water ministry spokesman, said access to safe water in rural areas had increased by 63% by June. The national latrine coverage, he said, increased from 59% in June last year to 62% by June this year.
“This was mainly because some districts enforced the Public Health Act,†he said. He added that through the district water and sanitation development grant, the Government had provided 660,000 additional rural people access to improved water sources.
Muwonge said 11 new small towns got piped water benefiting a population of 400,663.
Butaleja district got an award for having the highest improvement in latrine coverage of 25%. Kisoro Town Council emerged as the best water authority. It was commended for maintaining large amounts of surplus revenue even after implementation of extensive works to serve the fringe areas.
Bundibugyo had the most outstanding progress reports, following the format provided by the ministry.
Sembabule was the best district in terms of water for production. “It was able to construct all the five valley tanks it had planned for the 2007/08 financial year,†Muwonge said.
The best operators in the water and sanitation sector during the 2007/08 financial year have been awarded. The awards, divided into different sub-sectors, were given out at the end of the 8th joint government/donor sector review at Hotel Africana in Kampala recently.
In the urban water supply sub-sector, Bright Technical Services (BTS) took the ‘Best Private Operator’ award.
It beat 15 other operators with 203 out of 245 points. The company was credited for submitting accurate and complete performance reports on time, timely response to repairs, adherence to work plans and collection efficiency.
The director of BTS, Patience Mwesigwa, attributed their success to motivation of workers by giving bonuses to those who meet the set targets.
BTS operates in the small towns of Lukaya, Kalungu and Bukomansimbi. Charles Muwonge, the water ministry spokesman, said access to safe water in rural areas had increased by 63% by June. The national latrine coverage, he said, increased from 59% in June last year to 62% by June this year.
“This was mainly because some districts enforced the Public Health Act,†he said. He added that through the district water and sanitation development grant, the Government had provided 660,000 additional rural people access to improved water sources.
Muwonge said 11 new small towns got piped water benefiting a population of 400,663.
Butaleja district got an award for having the highest improvement in latrine coverage of 25%. Kisoro Town Council emerged as the best water authority. It was commended for maintaining large amounts of surplus revenue even after implementation of extensive works to serve the fringe areas.
Bundibugyo had the most outstanding progress reports, following the format provided by the ministry.
Sembabule was the best district in terms of water for production. “It was able to construct all the five valley tanks it had planned for the 2007/08 financial year,†Muwonge said.