Kanoni, Kazo — Hon. Balaam’s visit to Kazo District exposed a painful reality for residents of Kanoni Sub-County, where a Shs20 billion water project commissioned by the President has stalled for 8 years with no work done.
The Kanoni Sub-County Water Project is managed by the Ministry of Water and Environment, under Eng. Ebalu in charge of water. It was designed to provide 65,000 litres of water for human consumption and irrigation, a project that would have transformed lives in the area.
The main beneficiaries were to be Engadi, Kanoni and Kazo sub-counties, with other sub-counties to benefit later, including Kikyenkye, Nsasi and Igomora sub-counties, one in Ibanda District.
But 8 years after it was commissioned, residents say nothing has changed.
Speaking during the visit, Johnson Kabuumi, the Chairperson LCIII, reported that the President commissioned the project, work started, but it was stopped on the way and has never resumed. He said the area MPs and the Chairperson LCV have been told about the stalled project, but no action has been done as of now.
Residents told Hon. Balaam that they do not have any water project in their areas, a situation that forces them to share water with animals. For families in Kanoni, the daily search for water remains a struggle, despite the billions allocated for the project.
Adding to the frustration, nuts and bolts meant for the project were stolen. Residents say that from the way they were stolen, it seems the ones who brought them are the same people who stole them.
