‘Water budget inadequate’

Jul 15, 2007

THE sh150b allocated to the water sector in the recent budget may not meet the targeted 77% coverage by 2015, the state minister for water and environment, Jennifer Namuyangu, has said.

By Patrick Okino

THE sh150b allocated to the water sector in the recent budget may not meet the targeted 77% coverage by 2015, the state minister for water and environment, Jennifer Namuyangu, has said.

Launching the Water and Development Alliance project funded by USAID and Coca Cola at Amugo sub-county in Lira district last week, Namuyangu said financial and technical support from the donors was welcome.

The project, that will cover Lira, Amuria and Dokolo districts will cost $500,000 (about sh850m) and will be implemented by the Christian Children’s Fund.

It will supply safe water through provision of hand pumps, boreholes and solar powered supply to facilitate the returnees.

“The sector has finalised its investment plans although the available resource envelop is still constrained,” Namuyangu explained.

She noted that as peace returns to northern Uganda, provision of adequate water and sanitation facilities still remains a big challenge to the Government.

The United State Agency for International Development (USAID) mission director, Ellia Magot said the project will benefit 30,000 people in the three districts.

She noted that new boreholes, hand pumps and solar powered supply will prevent water born diseases.

The Lira LC5 chairman, Franco Ojur briefed the minister that internally displaced persons in the district have gone back but face with serious water crisis.

He noted appealed to the government that the supply of water to returnees should be put as a priority.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});