By Alex Pithua
Residents of Nebbi District are filled with excitement following the completion of a multimillion-dollar multipurpose water dam project at “Got Tar” in Ossi East Parish, Parombo Sub-county.
Local leaders have expressed their gratitude to the government and partners for their support in this significant development.
The new water dam, with a capacity of 10,000 cubic litres, was constructed for 314,467,218 shillings. It includes animal watering troughs and boreholes, addressing long-standing water scarcity issues in the community.
Evelyn Anichan, the water officer for Nebbi District, assured attendees at the commissioning ceremony on Tuesday that the dam’s structural integrity is sound.
“Water scarcity has been a significant challenge for this community for a long time,” she noted.
Doreen Fualing, the district natural resources officer, explained that the dam will serve a population of 3,834 people and provide water for 15,342 livestock, ultimately improving the quality of life for local families.
This project is part of the Local Climate Adaptive Living (LoCAL) initiative, aimed at creating climate-resilient solutions in Nebbi and three other districts: Nwoya, Zombo, and Kasese.
Emmanuel Orombi, the district LCV chairperson, praised LoCAL for its funding, emphasizing that this project is a vital part of the development efforts supported by the government and various partners.
“As a community, we have successfully constructed this water source for both people and livestock,” he stated.
Bwire Paul Lukalu, the Resident District Commissioner of Nebbi, highlighted that such projects are milestones for health services and infrastructure development. He urged the community to protect these vital resources.
Recently, a Parliamentary Committee on Climate Change conducted monitoring visits in Nwoya, Zombo, and Nebbi, engaging local leaders on climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Their discussions focused on environmental depletion and the government’s commitment to combating this issue.
Laurence Songa Biyika, the Member of Parliament for Ora County in Zombo and Chairman of the Committee on Climate Change, emphasized the collaboration between Uganda and development partners to address climate challenges.
He encouraged district officials to educate the public about climate-resilient practices, including the use of renewable energy and environmental conservation.
Songa also stressed the importance of developing climate-resilient infrastructure, including roads, bridges, hospitals, and schools.
During their visits, MPs inspected various sites and engaged with local leaders, promoting the implementation of climate resilience projects.
Flavia Kabahendu, the woman MP for Kyegegwa and a member of the climate change committee, underscored the need for inclusivity, particularly involving women and children in environmental conservation efforts.
She advocated for accessible and affordable agricultural technologies and called for the integration of traditional climate-smart systems in infrastructure design.
Eng. Ronald Ssubuga, MP for Nakawa East, encouraged the district to document wastelands and forest coverage for future reference, as well as develop drainage master plans and improve urban garbage management.
On Monday, the office of the president in Zombo monitored projects under LoCAL, led by Resident District Commissioner Festus Ayikubua and Assistant Resident Commissioner Bruno Obomba Mananu.
They reported positive progress on the construction of the Namthin Bridge, which is nearing completion and will facilitate mobility between Nebbi and Zombo.
“We urge the contractor to ensure quality and value for money,” Bruno stated on social media.
With the completion of the water dam project, Nebbi residents look forward to a more sustainable and resilient future.
