Gulu’ s leaking sewer pipes is due to rampant theft of manhole covers , destruction of slabs and sewer pipes , Gulu National Water Area Manager Mr. Paul Rachkara has said.
Mr. Rachkara told Acholi times on Tuesday that vandals steal manhole covers and pipes for selling as scrap. The thefts, Rackara said, has exposed residents of Gulu municipality to sewage since residents fill the open manholes with garbage thus blocking the system.
‘‘Vandalism has been very common especially in the slums and that has been our challenge because the locals remove these metallic covers to sell to scrap dealers,’’ Rackara said.
The National Water and Sewage Corporation official pointed out that vandalism is commonest in Pece Lukung, Holy Rosary and Cerelenu, suburbs of Gulu town.
The population of Gulu municipality has over the years grown putting pressure on the sewer system.
Currently National Water and Sewage Corporation says it spends over Shs.1.5m on 15 to 20 cases of vandalism a month.
Mr. David Canrach, National Water Superintendent appealed to local leaders and the public to report cases of vandalism for the suspects to be apprehended.
“We shall convene a LCW (Local Water Committee) at the municipal
council to find a solution to vandalism,’’ said Gulu town clerk Francis Barabanawe.
Gulu municipality is a beneficiary of a multi-billion shilling grant from the World Bank to improve and expand its water and sewage system.
By Terence Alur
