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Push for clean, safe water

Wednesday January 30 2019
drainage

Residents draw water from drainage channels that flow near their locality in Kagunga cell. Photo | Cyril NDEGEYA

By ARAFAT MUGABO

About 7,000 residents of Gatenga and Gikondo sectors in Kicukiro district face the risk of falling sick from consuming dirty water. The most affected village is Gashyekero in Gikondo sector.

The residents draw water from the nearby drainage channels in Kagunga cell.

“Two villages in the two sectors draw water from these drainage channels which they share with livestock. The danger is that there are many pit latrines within the vicinity,” said Mr Patrick Mubashankwaya, a resident of Kagunga village in Gikondo sector.

He added: “Typhoid and diarrhea are common in the area. We are likely to suffer from dysentery too.”

Agnes Murekatete, a resident of Gihubira village in Gatenga sector said residents no longer buy light coloured clothes because they lack clean water to wash them.

“The dirty water stains white clothes,” she said.

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Like many of the residents, Ms Murekatete treks about a kilometer from her home to find clean water.

The area residents blame their local leaders for failing to lobby the government to supply piped water.

Reports show that the 2018/2019 financial year budget allocated for the water sector was increased by 48.7 per cent to Rwf46.7 billion ($52.3 million), from that in 2017/2018.

However, a water sector review report shows that an additional Rwf165.9 billion (185.7 million) is needed this fiscal year if Rwanda is to deliver universal access to clean water in three years.

Charles Nsengiyumva, who is responsible for hygiene and sanitation in Gikondo sector said that whenever it rains, dirt is swept down to the Gashyekero drainage channels.

“I am aware of the increased funds for the water sector, but I am worried that our region may be left behind as was the case in 2017,” said Mr Nsengiyumva.

“The district had promised to construct boreholes in Kagunga sector but there are no signs of any work on the ground. Increasing the budget allocation for the water sector does not guarantee the problem will be solved. We must identify the areas most affected and hand them to the private sector if we hope to see any progress.”

Mr Nsengiyumva added that about half the population in the area has been diagnosed with typhoid at some point.“Government has neglected us despite the numerous complaints by residents yet some areas have piped water.”

The residents now want local leaders to close pit latrines constructed near the drainages.

The Kicukiro district vice mayor in charge of social affairs, Emmanuel Baingana, said that plans are underway to supply the area with clean water.

“It is our plan as government and as a representative of the people to ensure that water reaches every corner of Kicukiro. The mandate of water expansion is already with government and we are following it up,’’ he said.

He assured Gashyekero residents that he will ensure they are considered in the second phase of the districts’ clean water project.

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