A total of 217 residents of Port Victoria, Bunyala West Ward have benefited from Sh4m Upscaling Basic Sanitation for the Urban Poor (UBSUP) Project which aims at controlling Solid Organic Matter (SOM).

Phase one of the project funded by the Water Sector Trust Fund (WSTF) has concluded with the release of cheques worth Sh1.39m to 78 recipients who undertook to construct toilets; Cheques to the tune of Sh2.61m had earlier been issued to 139 people who had been picked to undertake construction of pour flush toilets.

Chief Officer for Water and Irrigation Dr George Tom Ekisa who represented Water Executive Dr Isaac Alukwe said the
County Government of Busia was making all efforts to address water challenges facing Bunyala residents.

He said Action Against Hunger will rehabilitate 10 shallow wells in the sub county and undertake repairs of pipes and valves at Sisenye water supplies, and 1.5km pipes extension at Port Victotia water project.

Dr Ekisa said UNICEF is coming to repair damaged pipes especially in Bunyala South, noting that USAID through KIWASH will offer capacity building to residents on how to manage water.

He added that the County Government will sign a memorandum of understanding with National Water Drilling and Storage Board to expand pipeline extension with Nambo-Osieko water supply.

The Sh10.53m Decentalized Treatment Facility (DTF) is under construction at Mulukoba Beach; the completion will help address sanitation challenges.

Project manager for Buwassco Stephen Onyango said the DTF project which is 40% and due for completion in December, 2020 will help address sanitation challenges in the region, noting that the project will reduce pollution load on Lake Victoria and the 60km distance to Busia Town to discharge waste.

The six modules are receiving bay and balancing tank, sludge drying bed, incinerator for burning solid organic matter, operators store/office, anaerobic reactor for breaking down waste and killing bacteria, and wetlands for planting grass and plants.

He said there will be a channel from wetlands to release effluent (treated water) into the Lake, noting that 50,000 litres of effluent will be released into the lake per day.

Photo: Chief Officer Dr George Tom Ekisa issues a cheque to Velma Wangoma in Port Victoria on Friday.
- Recipient of cheques pose for a photo with County officials in Port Victoria.

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