The Nabdam District Assembly in the Upper East Region has constructed 44 boreholes and 10 mechanised boreholes in collaboration with the Member of Parliament for the Nabdam Constituency over the past two years to improve access to potable drinking water and sanitation in the district.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Nabdam, Mr Francis Tobig, said the interventions were aimed at reducing the distance residents travel to access safe drinking water, improving public health and enhancing productivity.Speaking exclusively to Word News, Mr Tobig emphasised that access to potable water was essential to the livelihoods and well-being of residents, particularly those in rural communities.
He explained that, before the interventions, many communities in the district faced significant challenges accessing water, forcing residents to walk long distances in search of reliable water sources.
According to him, the situation not only consumed valuable time but also affected productivity, as residents had to spend considerable time fetching water instead of engaging in other productive activities.“Sometimes, it is difficult for people to walk long distances to access quality water, so they resort to nearby water bodies, which could expose them to waterborne diseases,” he said. Mr Tobig noted that the provision of the 44 boreholes and 10 mechanised boreholes had contributed to improving water accessibility in the district.
He disclosed that water coverage in the district currently stood at 88 per cent, adding that the Assembly was working towards increasing the figure beyond 90 per cent to ensure that more residents had access to safe and reliable drinking water.
He said improved access to potable water would help reduce water-related illnesses in households while meeting the daily water needs of residents.The DCE further noted that the water facilities also benefited livestock, as animals could access water without having to travel long distances.
Mr Tobig said the interventions had positively impacted the lives of residents, particularly those who previously depended on rainwater and nearby water bodies because boreholes were located far from their communities.
He explained that the new water facilities had helped ease the burden on residents who previously had to travel considerable distances to obtain potable water.
However, the DCE acknowledged that some communities were yet to benefit from the water provision projects and continued to experience difficulties accessing safe drinking water.
He said the Assembly remained committed to expanding water coverage across the district, with the aim of ensuring that more communities benefited from the interventions and that the district’s water coverage exceeded 90 per cent.
Source:mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard Adongo Ayuureneeya.