Water crisis hits Dokolo district

WATER SHORTAGE

DOKOLO - Residents of two sub-counties in Dokolo north county, Dokolo district are crying foul due to the current water shortage that has hit the area hard.

Joel Opio, the LC1 secretary of Aluti village told New Vision that two sub-counties of Okwalongwen and Dokolo are highly affected because one spring well is shared by two parishes of Aluti and Anangogwec in these sub-counties.

He stressed that the most affected five villages in these parishes are Aluti, Angic, Alang, Adwoye, Olangotic and Anangogwec, all in rural areas .

Opio added that Ajuma spring well which is bordering the two sub-counties is in Aluti village, Aluti parish, Okwalongwen sub- county Dokolo district .

On a visit to Ajuma spring well, it was found out that the spring well was constructed on July 21, 1993 and at the moment the water is used by over 1500 households in the five villages and is also  being shared with animals.

The LC3 Chairperson of Dokolo, Bosco Adoko Ogwal added that his sub-county has been submitting their challenges to the district but no response has been received so far.

He further explained that his office advised the area Local Council to contribute sh5000 from each family to drill a bore hole but failed to collect the full amount due to the prolonged dry spell last year.

When contacted, the Dokolo district water office engineer, Charles Dickens Omara,  noted that the district water coverage percentage at the moment stands at 86, and that his office is aware of the water shortage in the two sub-counties, revealing that so far, fifty villages have been highly affected.

At the moment the district has planned to ensure that sub-counties like Adok, Adeknino and Kwera that had low water coverage be worked on in this  financial year.

Residents speak out;

‘I am not happy to see that our women are lining up, struggling and fighting for the water. At least government should consider us.' said Joel Okwir.

‘We expect that our leaders should help us because we women are affected most and this shortage is causing domestic violence.' Said Anna Odongo.

We are scared, particularly my family, of this water because there are long tiny living organisms we always see inside the cup when we are taking water yet access to water guard is a challenge to us in the rural areas.' Said Eunice Okwir.

‘The district and government should help us because we tried to collect money but it is also challenging.' Said Kollin Okello

Solution;

According to the communities, if they are to be safe at least three boreholes should be established; one in Aluti parish Okwalongwen sub-county, another one in the middle and the other in Anangogwec parish, Dokolo sub-county.