Joy as Vicar General Commissions Multi-Million Piped Water System in Maracha

MARACHA. There was ineffable excitement in Maracha district as Monsignor Casto Adeti, the Vicar General of Arua Catholic Diocese, commissioned a piped water system benefiting over 500 people in Robu Parish, Oleba Sub County.

The water system was lobbied from Weltkirche Bistum Mainz, a Diocese in Germany by the members of ALIAMU Women’s group in Nyori village.

Currently, the motorized water system worth over Shs150m serves locals in the three villages of Nyori, Wandria and Mundru.

While presiding over the commissioning ceremony on Saturday, November 16, 2024, Monsignor Adeti commended the donors for coming to the aid of the people and asked the beneficiaries to take good care of the water so that the system can last for a long period of time.

“When there is water like this for our people, we thank God for that because this is the salvation of our people, and people can only serve the church well when they are holy in body and soul. So, this water is going to help people to work even harder for development,” Adeti said.

Monsignor equally used the opportunity to appeal to the government of Uganda to think of extending the water to other villages and also work on the bad roads in the area so as to allow people have easy access to water sources.

“Development doesn’t need to be partial; it must be wholesome. For instance, we now have water here, if one doesn’t have access to this water, then it becomes very difficult, it is equally like not having water at all. So, I think we appeal to well-wishers particularly to the government to make sure that people access this water here, people need roads here. Even when I came here, I had challenges because the road is not very good. I think we need partnership; the church can help also the State can help. This is the way to go for development,” Adeti stressed.

Michael Andama, the Nyori village chairperson said when it comes to clean water, his village is now covered.

He noted that before the construction of the piped water system, the people in his village used to rely on water from shallow wells and streams for drinking and domestic chores.

Andama however believes that with the coming of this clean and reliable water source, the rate of waterborne diseases like Typhoid and Bilharzia which used to disturb his people will automatically reduce.

“The only change now is that some people in our neighboring areas cannot access this water because of poor road networks. It will be good if the bad roads are worked on or else similar water projects are built to help some of our brothers and sisters in our neighboring parishes of Azipi and Bango,” Andama added.

Brenda Faidaru, a resident of Nyori expressed gratitude to the funders, saying they used to take time moving long distances to fetch unsafe water from streams which is now not the case.

“Now we have enough time to cultivate in our gardens because water has been brought closer to our homesteads. We are now working hard to improve on food security and alleviate poverty in our homes because we have started saving the money we used to spend on treating waterborne diseases. I really want to thank our donors from Germany so much for what they have done for us,” Faidaru said. 

Stella Asibazuyo, the ALIAMU Women’s group Secretary, said they have formed a water user committee which has been tasked to ensure that the piped water system is well maintained to minimize cases of technical breakdown.

Meanwhile Robert Ofuraga, the Councilor representing the neighboring people of Bango Parish to Oleba Sub-County Council, commended the members of ALIAMU Women group for the effort they have made to bring clean water in the area.

Ofuraga observed that as Oleba sub-county council, they are going to ensure that the piped water system in Nyori village is extended to other Parishes so that people in those areas can also consume clean water.

In an earlier interview, James Anguzu, the Health Assistant of Oleba Sub County, said the piped water project in Nyori village will help them to scale up the issue of safe water coverage in Oleba sub-county.

“Being a motorized Well, it is safer than the actual open source that people have been using. We are hopeful that this intervention is going to supplement the efforts of the government and other interventions that are on ground,” Anguzu said.

“We believe this safe water improvement and supply is going to add to the already low water coverage. Our safe water coverage still stands at 53 percent but we believe with addition of other safe water sources like this one and the ones constructed by the government, the safe water coverage in the sub-county is going to scale up,” Anguzu remarked.

During the commissioning, Monsignor Adeti also prayed for the departed souls in the home of Fr. Inziku Mary and blessed Tents, Chairs and a Tri-cycle purchased by family members to support the community.