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In the Press |
NWSC to mobilise sh123b
(The New Vision, Monday, 24 December, 2007)
By James Odomel
THE National Water
and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) recently scooped an award as the most
respected utility in East Africa. James Odomel interviewed the managing
director, Dr. William Muhairwe.
QUESTION: What made you achieve this?
ANSWER:
The performance is talking for itself. We have mobilised staff to react
to customers’ queries. We have not done everything we should do, but
our staff are trying their best to make sure the customer has water,
gets his/her bills on time and if there is any query, it is reacted to
in the shortest possible time. I apologise to those who have been
trying to get in touch with us and failed. Other times they succeeded,
but we were unable to move beyond our capabilities. Most times we have
endeavoured to be there when we have been called.
QUESTION: What are your plans for next year?
ANSWER: We
have big plans. Sanitation is one of our biggest challenges now.
Kampala is only 8%-10% sewered. We are in touch with the African
Development Bank, Germany and the finance ministry. We want to mobilise
euros 50m (about sh123b) to refurbish the sewerage system in Kampala.
We already have a sewerage master plan.
Secondly, we want
to work on the intensification of our water network. We already have
three water works. We are pumping a lot of water in our four stations
of Muyenga, Rubaga, Namirembe and Mutundwe. We want to expand coverage
to make sure we build more tanks so that we are able to distribute
water evenly.
QUESTION: Are there any areas which need improvement?
ANSWER:
We have the so called dry areas in our system. These include
Bweyogerere, Kamuli (I apologise to the people for not getting water at
the right time, Kalinabiri, Kulambiro and Namugongo who are still
having problems. We are working around the clock to make sure that at
least we provide enough tanks and maybe enlarge the pipes so that the
water system can improve.
QUESTION: What does it require to join the sewerage system?
ANSWER:
We have a new sewerage connection policy. If you’re within 50m-100m
from our sewerage network, we do not charge you connection fees. You
just have to apply and we provide the pipes and labour. But if you’re
beyond, for example 150m, we shall subtract the 100m and you pay for
the 50m. You pay to NWSC and we do the entire work for you. This will
help avoid shoddy work.
Sewerage is a gravity issue. If
the person who is not experienced handles it you, might end up with
sewerage running backwards to the residences instead of the other way
round. |
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Copyright © 2008, National Water & Sewerage Corporation | Plot 39, Jinja Road, P.O. Box 7053 Kampala, Uganda
Tel: (+) 256 414 315100 / 0312 260 414/5, Fax: (+) 256 414 258 299 / 345 531, E-mail: info@nwsc.co.ug |
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