Kombolcha Town inaugurated 200 million Birr water supply projects financed by the local community

Ethiopia is a country endowed with various untapped resources. Particularly, the nation is blessed with ample ground and surface water resource potential. Despite the fact that some parts of the country are still seriously affected due to the absence of a clean water supply. Taking this into consideration, the incumbent has been investing huge capital to upgrade water resource institutions in a bid to provide sufficient clean water for citizens.

Improving and expanding water institutions is crucial to address water supply concerns for the ever-growing population, industry expansion and future infrastructure development in the country.

Surprisingly, following the expansion of various industries, the Kombolcha town population is highly increasing. Likewise, the town’s industry zone water demand is also increasing day in day out. To adjust this challenge, the town has engaged in new water expansion projects that are valuable in addressing the water shortage that the town has encountered.

Workiye Zena is a manager of Kombolcha Town Administration Water and Sewerage Office. According to him, his office has been mobilizing various resources in a bid to realize water projects that are put in place considering the ever-growing population size and industrial expansion. As for Workiye, in so doing, promising results have been gained in providing a clean water supply for townees over the past two couple of years. However, it still it does not equivalent to the growing demand.

That is why, the Town has recently inaugurated 200 million Birr worth water supply projects that can provide a potable water supply for more than 250, 000 citizens and cover fifty percent of water demand of 40 industries for the next ten years.

Over the past years, efforts have been exerted to ensure accessibility of water supply in the town. Accordingly, thirteen underground water reservoirs and distributors have been constructed.

However, it is becoming a challenge to continue with the existing water supplying capacity. Due to this reason, the expansion and improvement works are needed with an intention to meet the current and future water demand.

So far, Water supply expansion and improvement project works are built by the local source of finance and capacity which is an example for other towns.

Moreover, 500 million birr projects cornerstone has been laid by Dr.Eng.Sileshi Bekele, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Electricity and Molla Fetene of the Amhara State, Water, Irrigation, and Energy Development Office Head on August 5/2018 which is expected to be completed within 3 to 5 years duration is also another typical example i.e operated by local finance.

What makes the Kombolcha water supply project unique is, the fund is generated from the local community, said Dr.eng. Sileshi.

Water and sanitation expansion project is one of the most contributors to achieve 2030 sustainable development goals. Currently, the incumbent is working on its endeavor to upgrade cities water and sanitation service delivery standard, reduce water wastage and pollution, strengthening the financial capacity of water institutions, protecting and conserving water sources and increase the participation of customers to address the accessibility of water.

It is giving due attention to the water sector as it is one of the priority areas for national development. Besides utilized for day to day consumption, Water is a precious natural resource that greatly contributes to the economic development of the country. Hence, this resource needs special protection and conservation, Molla Fetene said.

As to Molla, computer-assisted revenue collection and property administration system, river basin development, groundwater service delivery and the public participation in supporting water sector are some of the best practices that other towns should learn from.

The daily water supply coverage has reached to 90-meter cubes for each individual. The index is the highest coverage at the national level. The secret behind all this is the existence of good governance and the commitment of leaders to discharge their duties and responsibilities.

The effort of Kombolcha Town Administration Water and Sewerage Office to deliver an efficient water supply is quite impressive.

Besides satisfying day to day consumption of the community, the office would play a greater role in attracting potential businesses to the town in particular and to the nation in general.

BY TSEGAYE TILAHUN