Busia leaders and residents have condemned vandalism of public utility projects in various parts of the border county, including the Malakisi water project which was commissioned by the President in January this year.
Irked by the development, the Busia County Governor, Dr Paul Otuoma, has urged investigative and security agencies to bring to book the culprits who are behind the vandalism.
There have been reports of vandalism of the main distribution line of Malaba water project at the border of Teso North and Sirisia Constituencies.
It has been alleged that residents of Sirisia Constituency were agitated with the fact that they have water source in their constituency yet 85% of water is set to benefit the residents of the neighbouring constituency of Teso North in Busia County.
A similar incident was reported on January 25, 2024, where more than 10 goons broke into Nasewa-based County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) in Matayos Sub county and disappeared with building materials and assorted equipment.
Addressing the press in Matayos, the governor who was flanked by Members of Parliament Raphael Wanjala (Budalangi), Geoffrey Mulanya (Nambale), Joseph Oyula (Butula) and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency (LVNWWDA) Mr Joel Wamalwa, warned that he will not allow anyone to destroy development projects aimed at facilitating residents to access basic services and amenities.
“Vandalism of this shared resource constitutes a major setback in our efforts to ensure that residents have uninterrupted safe, clean and sustainable water supply. Anyone who feels aggrieved should raise concern with appropriate channels for action,” he stated adding that the act risks denying at least 180,000 households access to water.
However, Mr Wamalwa confirmed that they have commenced the process to compensate the communities affected by the project to allow smooth flow of water supply.
“Its true the process has taken long, but we have fast tracked the same and the communities around Chesikaki, Sirisia all the way to Malaba will be compensated and connected to the line. In the meantime, the Water Police Unit has picked up matters for further action,” said Wamalwa.
The county government of Busia through Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency has secured Sh 300 million from the national government to operationalise the last mile connectivity of Malaba water treatment project to serve the community.
The commissioning of the Malaba water treatment plant heralds a new dawn for residents of five wards namely Angurai South, Malaba South, Malaba Central, Malaba North and Angurai East who used to encounter acute water shortage for several years.
The mega water project constructed at Malakisi within Busia County, covers areas of Kocholia, Amagoro, Malaba, Angurai, Malaba town and its environs.
Meanwhile, the county boss said that his government has streamlined the governance issues of Busia Water and Sewerage Company (BUWASCO) with a new board and CEO to enable the company to collaborate with development partners in order to provide clean water to the people of Busia.
During the meeting, which was also attended by a section of county officials, the legislators discussed the upcoming water projects across the seven constituencies.
The law makers were urged to submit their respective reports to the governor for onward transmission.
By Absalom Namwalo
