REGIONAL NEWS , Monday, February 2, 2015 11 DA R N E

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U for water B Mengo project victims Hospital gets MPIGI government projects,” he said. Kasule’s comments came during the By Agnes Nantambi breaking-of-the-ground-ceremony for oxygen plant the project, which was presided over Residents of and by the environment minister, Prof. towns in have been Ephraim Kamuntu, at Buwama town advised to hold their compensation on Thursday. By Juliet Waiswa demands for land where the Buwama- Kamuntu applauded those who and David Lukiiza Kayabwe water supply project is being offered their land to enhance the constructed. implementation of the project, saying An oxygen plant worth The residents, who sought giving land for the project is promoting $184,400 (about sh500m) has compensation before the better life in the area. been commissioned at Mengo implementation of the sh15b water “Given clean water, we can save Hospital to constantly supply project, were left cursing after being time, labour and money, which can A consultant from Fichtner explaining to Kamuntu (wearing yellow oxygen in the critical areas of told by the Ministry of Water and be invested in productive activities shirt) how the water supply project will work. Photo by Agnes Nantambi the intensive care unit, theatre Environment that the project had no to generate income. Good sanitation and maternity wards. compensation component. reduces water-borne diseases thus Luwakanya, asked the people to Parliament, we fight for these projects The hospital medical director, The project is being funded by the avoiding expenditure on medical appreciate the role of upgrading their and if you disappoint us, they also Rose Mutumba, said the plant, African Development Bank (ADB) and treatment,” he observed. villages to town boards, saying it underestimate us.” the third of its kind in , implemented under the Regional Lake The Mpigi district chairman, John promotes better service delivery. The director of the directorate of will reduce on the expenses Victoria Water and Sanitation Project. “Our district annual budget is sh21b water development, Eng. Aaron the hospital has been incurring It is aimed at reducing pollution on including salaries, but imagine the Kabirizi emphasised that the project monthly and will address the Lake Victoria through increased water ON THE whole of sh15b has been brought to will contribute to the long-term goal of need for medical-grade gases supply, promotion of hygiene and two town boards. You should thank the ensuring 77% access to safe water for like oxygen. sanitation, protection of catchments GROUND Government,” he noted. the rural population and 100% for the “We have been spending and solid waste management systems. Teopista The people demanding compensation urban population in the district by the close to sh3.5m on the Frank Kasule, the Buwama LC3 Nakabugo said are those through whose land the pipes end of this year. purchase of oxygen monthly chairman, said the residents have been the project and other equipment for the water The ADB representative, Andrew from Oxygas, Uganda Oxygen bitter over non-compensation. will solve the project will pass. Mbiro, announced the bank’s continued and Roofings Limited,” “I have tried to sensitise our people problem of Joseph Kiyingi Bbosa, the area MP support in developing interventions Mutumba explained at the about the importance of the project, but water shortage said: “This is a big project, which that ease pressure on natural resources commissioning on Wednesday. many thought I ‘ate’ their money. That is resulting from will transform us. You would have while better managing environment, The plant was donated why we invited residents to teach them dry wells. embarrassed me if you had shunned social and economic risks and building by First Baptist Church about our responsibility of welcoming it because of lack of compensation. In resilience to climate shocks. McKinney, US.