- The project seeks to expand the Ramata dam from the current 30,000 cubic metres to 66,000 metre cubic, installation of pipelines and construction of water kiosks.
- Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali said access to clean water was the main challenge to residents especially during the dry season.
Image: ABDIKADIR CHARI
Residents of Sololo in the Moyale constituency are set to benefit from a Sh43 million water project after the county government in partnership with the Water Trust Fund initiated the Moyale Integrated Project.
The project seeks to expand the Ramata dam from the current 30,000 cubic metres to 66,000 metre cubic, installation of pipelines and construction of water kiosks.
Speaking on Thursday during the launch of the project, Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali said access to clean water was the main challenge to residents especially during the dry season.
"The project will eventually bring to an end the perennial water shortages and it will be used for domestic and livestock consumption," the Governor said.
He said the multimillion water project was among other projects that the county government is investing in to solve the water scarcity problem facing area residents.
Governor Ali said the project will elevate the storage capacity of Ramata Dam from the current storage capacity of 30,000 metres cubic to 66,000 cubic metres.
"Water is a key component in my administration to ensure adequate water supply," he said
"My administration is committed to improving the livelihoods of the residents through the construction of dams and drilling of boreholes that will supply reliable water for domestic use and irrigation."
The county boss said access to safe, affordable and reliable water services is a basic right towards sustaining healthy livelihoods and maintaining the people's dignity.
He called on the residents to own the project by ensuring its protection against vandalism and any other form of misuse adding that the county government would ensure regular maintenance of the facilities.
Image: ABDIKADIR CHARI
The governor demanded timely completion of the project and warned the contractor against shoddy job promising to partner with different stakeholders.
CECM water, environment and natural resources Malicha Boru said the dam project was expected to make a significant impact in ensuring water sustainability in the region.
"Acute water scarcity has been a recurring problem for decades which the administration of Governor Mohamud Ali seeks to end," he said.
He appealed to the locals to take ownership of the project and ensure they were well maintained and protected from vandalism.
The water executive called on the residents to support Governor Mohamud Ali's water provision program that was geared towards alleviating water scarcity.
"The governor has already started implementing various water projects and he will populate the county with dams, boreholes and pans," he said
He says the county government is involved in the rehabilitation, expansion and upgrading of water projects in partnership with the Water Trust Fund aimed at addressing water and sanitation challenges.
Chief Officer Water Rob H. Galma said the launch of the project signifies significant progress in addressing water scarcity and improving the quality of life for residents in the area.
"The project represents a major step in enhancing the quality of life for a large segment of the community," he said
He observed that the significant amount of water would unquestionably ease the hardship on the residents who had to travel far and wide.
Water Trust Board director Musa Arbelle urged the locals to protect and value the project as it provides the most precious resource for domestic and livestock use.
He encouraged the county government to continue partnering with stakeholders to ensure the people had access to potable water.
Chairman Sololo Water User Association Halkano Guyo thanked the governor and the partners for the project saying it would be a game changer and urged the county and partners to ensure every village benefits from the project.
Halima Abdi, a resident of Sololo said that they walked for 15 kilometres in search of water, a situation that had jeopardised their normal ways of life.
"The water project would be a great benefit to us especially during dry season," she said.
She called on the county government and partners to construct more dams in the area to eradicate water scarcity.
"Access to clean and reliable water is essential to public health and economic prosperity, making this project a crucial investment in their well-being," she said.