By KT Reporter
There is excitement in the seven villages of Abar West Parish in Ndhew Sub-county, Nebbi District, following the commissioning of a solar-powered borehole, ending nearly 40 years of persistent water shortages. For more than 45 years, residents lacked access to clean and safe water, exposing them to waterborne diseases. Community leaders say at least 10 cases of diarrhea were recorded monthly. They believe the newly installed piped water system will transform livelihoods and reduce the risks of contracting such diseases.
Jenerosa Wiyajik, a 65-year-old resident of Palyec Central Village, describes the project as a major turning point for the area. She says communities had previously relied on contaminated streams shared with animals for decades. Wiyajik, who now manages a public water stand at her homestead, explains that the availability of piped water has greatly improved her life, noting that she used to walk long distances to fetch water and would sometimes sleep without any due to her advanced age.
“I really thank God for bringing development in our old age, because water was a big problem in the communities and people used to spend more hours at the few water sources. Marriages were breaking because men were suspicious about their wives taking longer hours at the water source,” Wiyajik said. She added that she now earns up to shs 10,000 per day from selling water. She uses part of the money to improve her diet, maintain the pipes, and save some for medical emergencies.
According to William Okwir Asa, the Chairman of the Water User Committee in Abar West Parish, at least 44 additional water points have been installed to address the water crisis. He named Omoyo Central, Omoyo North, Lengi, and Awo Palyec North among the villages that have been connected to the new system. He noted that the sustainability of the piped water system lies in community ownership, adding that a portion of the revenue collected from water sales will be used to repair and maintain broken pipes.
“The connection and extension of piped water is for the willing customers who would wish to be connected at cost, and the cost depends on the cost of materials and the distance covered,” Okwir said. Eunice Atimanga, the Female District Councillor representing Ndhew Sub-county, welcomed the development but expressed concerns about broader infrastructural gaps. She said the area’s hilly terrain has hindered progress, leaving many government institutions without essential services.
She added that water is not the only challenge in Ndhew Sub-county, citing poor roads and inadequate infrastructure that continue to hamper development. “Now the water is covering only seven villages in one parish, what about other parts of the sub-county without clean and safe water? Ndhew Seeds School is to be commissioned in a few months. Where would the school be accessing water from if they are not planned for?” Atimango asked.
Noel Muhangi, the Senior Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Water and Environment, said the solar-powered borehole offers fresh hope to rural communities by providing clean and safe water. He noted that the project particularly benefits women and children who previously walked long distances to collect water from unsafe sources.
Muhangi explained that the project, implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment through Nexus Green Limited, serves more than 5,000 people across the villages of Palyec Central, Omoyo North, Lengi, Awu, Nguthe, Ambere, and Palyec Nyonguki in Abar West, Ndhew Sub-county. He said the system is powered by 36 solar panels and pumps up to 257.9 cubic meters of water per day.
“The installation of Shillings 170 million solar-powered water system on Apany hill with a capacity of 18 cubic meter tank under the Ministry of Water and Environment is targeted to serve more villages such that water shortages become a history in the communities,” Muhangi said.
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