- The rehabilitation effort includes generator maintenance, installation of solar power, refurbishment of Genset housing, reverse osmosis machine instillation, water trough and elevated pressed 36-metre cubic water tank.
- Speaking during the handover of the project to the contractor, Chief Officer Agriculture Orge Gilla Baji says acce
Image: HANDOUT
Thousand of households in Nana, Moyale constituency are set to benefit from the Marsabit county government borehole rehabilitation project under the World Bank-funded Emergency locust response program.
The rehabilitation effort includes generator maintenance, installation of solar power, refurbishment of Genset housing, reverse osmosis machine instillation, water trough and elevated pressed 36-metre cubic water tank.
Speaking during the handover of the project to the contractor, Chief Officer Agriculture Orge Gilla Baji says access to clean water remains a vital concern for the local communities.
She said that the solar project to be installed will mark the beginning of the sustainable solution to the water supply challenges.
"The use of solar in boreholes enhanced the reliability of the water supply system. In areas prone to power outages, solar-powered boreholes can continue operating autonomously ensuring uninterrupted access to clean water for the communities," she said
She said the Sh15 million project would give thousands of families in the region access to clean water and empower households to engage in market-oriented farming to improve their household incomes through engaging in agri-business.
"The project is primed to transform the fortunes of farmers in this dry area that is characterised by famine. The project is expected to be completed by November this year," she said
She expressed optimism that the borehole once rehabilitated would provide sufficient water for domestic use and agricultural production.
"Nana's borehole rehabilitation project represents a vital step towards addressing water scarcity, promising a better quality of life for its residents," she said
She said the administration of Governor Mohamud Ali targets to reduce the water access distance, a goal she said will stimulate the overall county development by improving water supply as well as promoting agricultural production.
The agriculture chief officer said her department had identified other strategic resources in the county that would be rehabilitated to enable the region to realize its full potential.
Amongst the projects identified include the Desilting of the Kukub water pan for enhanced livestock production in Obbu ward, intensive crops and pasture production through a modern irrigation system in Dokatu, Sagante Jaldesa ward and improved pasture production and storage through the establishment of community fodder farm and hay store in Bura, North-Horr ward.
She revealed that the reverse osmosis machine will be instilled upon completion of the project and will be the first of its kind in the county which will benefit the host community in accessing clean and safe drinking water.
"Reverse osmosis machine is highly efficient in removing a wide range of contaminants from water and provide residents with cleaner and pure water," she said
She urged the residents to cooperate with the contractor for the timely completion of the project.
The Coordinator of the Emergency Locust Response Program Boru Jillo said thousands of residents have benefited from the project since the onset of the program.
He added that livelihood restoration activity will benefit the community by restoring the provision of livestock and farm input mechanization.
He said other support includes refurbishment of water infrastructure, refurbishment of irrigated infrastructure, supply fisher forks with fishing gears and promotion of climate-smart agriculture.
The coordinator said the objective of the project is to prevent and respond to the threat to livelihoods posed by desert locust outbreaks.
Chairman Community Water User Association Hussein Aliow confirmed the positive impact of the project on the community.
"Nana borehole rehabilitation project will be a relief for us. The community will benefit from water piping and solar instillation," he said.