Gulu IDPs, LCs demand for boreholes
Jun 08, 2010
GULU district is stuck with 512 applications from former internally displaced persons (IDPs) and LCs demanding boreholes to be drilled in their villages, the district secretary for works and technical services has said.
By Chris Ocowun
GULU district is stuck with 512 applications from former internally displaced persons (IDPs) and LCs demanding boreholes to be drilled in their villages, the district secretary for works and technical services has said.
Alex Otim last week told The New Vision that the demand for safe water sources is overwhelming.
He explained that the district, together with development partners, had drilled only 48 boreholes and three shallow wells during the last financial year.
Otim, who is also the LC5 councillor for Paicho sub-county, stated that between July and August, the district plans to drill 45 more boreholes in the worse-hit villages.
“In some villages, people drink muddy water and use it for cooking,†he reported.
The councillor added that sh965m had been earmarked under the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan and conditional grants would provide safe water to the villages.
He said the district is also drilling boreholes in the suburbs of Gulu town, which are not covered by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation.
Otim explained that as an immediate solution to the water crisis, the district was using spare parts from the abandoned boreholes in IDP camps to repair vandalised boreholes and other water sources.
The councillor appealed to development partners to provide more funds for the provision of safe water in northern Uganda.
GULU district is stuck with 512 applications from former internally displaced persons (IDPs) and LCs demanding boreholes to be drilled in their villages, the district secretary for works and technical services has said.
Alex Otim last week told The New Vision that the demand for safe water sources is overwhelming.
He explained that the district, together with development partners, had drilled only 48 boreholes and three shallow wells during the last financial year.
Otim, who is also the LC5 councillor for Paicho sub-county, stated that between July and August, the district plans to drill 45 more boreholes in the worse-hit villages.
“In some villages, people drink muddy water and use it for cooking,†he reported.
The councillor added that sh965m had been earmarked under the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan and conditional grants would provide safe water to the villages.
He said the district is also drilling boreholes in the suburbs of Gulu town, which are not covered by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation.
Otim explained that as an immediate solution to the water crisis, the district was using spare parts from the abandoned boreholes in IDP camps to repair vandalised boreholes and other water sources.
The councillor appealed to development partners to provide more funds for the provision of safe water in northern Uganda.