NWSC seeks Shs180 billion to connect 10,000 villages

Kampala.

The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC ) has laid out an ambitious plan to connect 10,000 villages to the water grid by 2020, but wants the government to meet half of the Shs180 billion cost.

In an August 9 letter to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water and Environment, Dr Silver Mugisha, the NWSC managing director, says over the last three years, the corporation has carried out aggressive water extensions and water supply stabilisation plans using internally generated funds.

The exercise, he said, has increased the number of towns supplied by the corporation from 23 in 2013, to 170 currently and it has also doubled the number of people accessing piped water from 3.5 million to 6.6 million.

“An analysis of up to 200 towns to be served under NWSC indicate that Shs180 billion is needed to carry out further extensions, network intensifications and public pipe installations to ensure that 10,000 villages are fully served by 2020,” the letter reads; adding that the level of service involves at least one public standpipe per 15 to 20 homesteads serving and equivalent of 200 people.

“Therefore, this is to request you to consider providing NWSC with additional investment subsidy of Shs30 billion per annum up to June 2020,” Dr Mugisha wrote.
Water and Environment minister Samuel Cheptoris, said if the utility is availed budget support from government, they will be able to achieve their objective.

“If the money is available, 100 per cent coverage is achievable but if they do not avail the money, then we shall adjust our targets for 2020,” Mr Cheptoris said.

In 2013, NWSC drew up a strategic plan aimed at achieving 100 per cent piped water coverage for the country which saw the corporation expand its operations from 23 towns to over 170 today. This translated into an increased water network length from 7,500 to 10,770 kilometres together with doubled revenue from Shs170 billion to Shs276 billion.

Network expansion
“If the above additional funding is provided on top of the internally generated funds, the corporation will install additional 6,000kms of pipe work, make at least 150,000 connections and ensure 100 per cent urban coverage,” Mr Mugisha said.

NWSC which had an annual revenue surplus of Shs60 billion, is currently engaged in network expansion at the Ggaba water works aimed at increasing water coverage in Kampala in areas such as Kyengera and Mutundwe, and parts of Wakiso District which have not been previously connected to the network.

Other efforts
The corporation also plans to invest Shs40 billion in upgrading the sewerage infrastructure countrywide and another Shs40 billion for Kampala Water alone.