Gov’t Commissions Shs 524 Million Solar-Powered Pipe Water System in Lakang Sub County

By Tolit Ivan

There is excitement in Lakang Sub County, Amuru District following the commissioning  of a multi-million Solar Powered Pipe Water System to boost access to clean water in the area.

The water facility targeting 25,000 residents in Lakang Sub County was constructed by Drop in the Bucket with funding from Hunger Project Uganda, a non government organization providing humanitarian services, at a cost of UGX 524 million.

For the last 20 years,the sub county has been lacking  clean and safe water due to failure by the government to construct water facilities.

Speaking during the handover of water facility to Amuru district Local government on Friday, Evelyn Namubiru Tondo, the Head of Programs Hunger Uganda, said they went to  Lakang Sub County through the district to set up an Epicenter to improve service delivery but,  discovered that there was a water crisis and then thought it wise to first start with bringing water in the area because they believe water is life and it contributes to the economic development of an area and improving health of the people.

She urged the communities in Lakang sub County to protect the water sources so that they continue drinking  clean and safe water unlike in the past where they would share with animals.

Geoffrey Orsbon Oceng, the Amuru Resident District Commissioner who commissioned the water project, lauded Hunger Project Uganda for installing the water system to Lakang, an area that has for the last 20 years been without clean and safe water for its population.

He revealed that  the government will continue to work with Hunger Project Uganda to establish more project’s geared towards improving the livelihood of the communities.

 John Bosco Opiyo, the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Amuru District, said they are very happy to receive the beautiful water facility that has been handed over to them by Hunger Project Uganda.

According to Opiyo, Lakang is one of the poorest sub county in the district with very little visibility of government project but with the coming on board of the Hunger Project Uganda, they are very optimistic that people of Lakang will begin receiving the services they have been lacking for the last 20 years including health and education since the non-governmental organization is going to set up all the facilities to provide the needed services.

He has tasked the District Water Department to take full management of the pipe water system so that they are not damaged and when they have problems it is repaired to ensure there is constant supply.

Oketa William Manachi, the Local Council One Chairperson Acibi A village, expressed his gratitude to Hunger Project Uganda for installing a solar powered Pipe water System in the area to provide them with safe and clean water.

‘’we are very happy and praise God because for the last 20 years, we have been feasting on water from unsafe sources as well as share with domestic animals, I and my executives will work with  the communities to protect the water source jealously to avoid suffering again’ ’said Oketa

Lapobo Lucy, an elderly woman who also attended the commissioning ceremony, thanked Hunger Project Uganda for delivering water to them, something she says the government has failed to do despite having resources.

As part of the Epicenter Set Up, Hunger Project Uganda will also establish a Health Centre III, a Primary School, Food Storage Facility in Lakang Sub County and also construction Lakang Sub County Headquarters. The project is estimated to cost the non-governmental organization UGX 5.5 billion for a period of five years.

James Tinkasimire, the Project Coordinator, Hunger Uganda, said they are committed to developing Lakang so as to provide all the missing social services to the over 25,000 people in the hard to reach Sub County.