Gulu councilors yesterday expressed bitterness with the National Water and Sewage Corporation over a water crisis that hit Gulu for two weeks.
Water supply was only restored to Gulu yesterday but residents complained of a fishy smell in the water something they attributed to the rotting fish that was scooped out of the mud in the dam when the water levels went down.
The councilors expressed their bitterness during the 27th full council sitting at the district council hall. The council sitting was also used to pass the Gulu district budget for the financial year 2016/2017.
Chris Owen Okoya the councilor for Palaro sub County urged for the water crisis to be immediately resolved. He said the reservoir and the nearby Oyitino stream which supplies water into the dam have to be constantly monitored to check water levels.
Francis Watdok Awori, the Councilor for Koro sub County said there is need to get new water sources for Gulu residents.
Balinton Pa’Ongwech the councilor for Bungatira prepared on how to address a fall in the water levels.
“Why are they panicking now? They should have planned much earlier. Right now it is too late,” said Ongwech.
Santa Oketta the Councilor for Layibi said the new market in Gulu town built with a grant from the African Development Bank was in a sorry state due to a lack of water in the toilets.
“The management of NWSC was just interested in making money only. They should have planned for any disaster,” said Gulu district Chairman Ojara Martin Mapenduzi.
Mapenduzi revealed that two Chinese construction companies he did not name are clearing out the silt in the dam for fresh water to flow in from Oyitino dream.
Residents in Gulu town were for two weeks hit by a water shortage after the National Water Sewage and Corporation reservoir at Oyitino dried up.
It is still unclear why NWSC did not prepare to adequately address the water situation considering that the water levels at the reservoir did not drop at once but gradually due to the prolonged drought.
Paul Rachkara, the Gulu branch manager for the National Water and Sewerage Corporation [NWSC] when contacted told Acholi Times that water supply had been restored. But he asked Gulu residents to use the water sparingly.
