KIKUUBE-The local communities on the shores of Lake Albert in Buhuka parish in Kyangwali Sub-county in Kikuube district have a reason to smile as they will no longer use contaminated water, following the establishment of the Shs 1.6 billion water project in the area.
The solar-powered gravity water flow scheme on River Masika was handed over to the community on Wednesday by Chain National offShore Oil Company [CNOOC].
CNOOC is an oil company that was licensed by the government to develop the Kingfisher oil field. Kingfisher field development area is spread over approximately 344km2 in the Lake Albert Rift Basin in western Uganda
While speaking at the official handover of the water project, the Chairperson for Buhuka Communal Land Association [BUCOLA] Isa Byaruhanga said, communities have been prone to cholera due to a lack of clean and safe water.
“We are very happy about this achievement because we have been relying on untreated water from Lake Albert or the old gravity water scheme that directly abstracted River water and supplied it without treatment,” Byaruhanga said.
The water facility has the capacity to supply 7,500 litres per day to more than 10,000 residents. The beneficiary villages are Nsunzu A, Nsunzu B, Nsonga A, Nsonga B and Kyakapere.
Eng. Sam Kajojo, the Managing Director, SAMKA Construction Co. Ltd, the builder of the water facility urged the community through the user committees to contribute some money for sustainability.
“I recommend that they charge at least Shs 50 per 20 litre jerrican. I think that is manageable and if you calculate they can collect at least sh9m per month to help in the maintenance of the water sources and also save some income for other activities and investments of their choice,” said Eng. Kajojo.
He said at least sh4m will be needed to run the water scheme per month including the cost of treatment and payment of the management staff.
He noted that three young men from the Buhuka community have been trained and employed to take care of the water project.
Kikuube district Chairperson Peter Banura, urged the community members to own the water scheme and recognise it as a fruit of oil discovery in Buhuka.
Banura noted that the lack of ownership of projects by the communities has seen many projects provided by government and other stakeholders not well received, leading to their failure. He pledged to cooperate with all stakeholders to ensure safe and clean water supply sustainability.
Sam Mugisa the Social Affairs Coordinator at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda [PAU] said as the industry regulator, they remain ready to scrutinise and support any pro-community development project proposals.
“We shall never relent to approve projects that address community needs. We need you healthy and alive to make local content a reality. To us, this project adds to the many oil-induced developments. Let us work together to support the industry for the benefit of all Ugandans,” he said.
Chen Zhoubao, the President CNOOC, the funders of the water project commended Buhuka community for supporting the project.
He noted that cooperation between the community and CNOOC is responsible for different projects being implemented in the area.
Zakalia Lubega, the Head Corporate Affairs at CNOOC Uganda said that the project was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.
He said CNOOC decided to construct the water system to provide clean drinking water to the community and tasked the community members to jealously guard the water project, saying it is for their own benefit.
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