Sanitation and water crisis sparks alarm in Kamdini town council

10 December 2024, 5:45 pm

By Chris Woo

Residents of Iwang IKee trading centre in Tenam cell, Western ward, Kamdini town council, Oyam district, have raised concerns about a potential outbreak of sanitation-related diseases due to the lack of adequate latrines in the area.

The community expressed their worries during a meeting involving representatives from four villages in Western ward, where they discussed strategies to improve residents’ well-being and enhance the local business environment.

A major concern highlighted was the closure of a public latrine that had previously served approximately 1,860 businesspersons. With the facility now full, residents have resorted to open defecation in nearby gardens. Alfred Ocen, the LC1 chairman of Tenam cell, stressed the urgency of addressing this growing sanitation crisis.

In addition to the lack of sanitation facilities, Ocen reported that 2,700 residents of Tenam cell are currently reliant on a single borehole for clean water, compounding the community’s challenges.

Sam Paul Ogwang Alunyu, the LC3 chairman of Kamdini town council, assured residents that steps are being taken to address the issues. He stated that the town council has deployed a team, including the health educator, Town Clerk, and Community Development Officer (CDO), to assess the situation. Plans are also underway to construct a public toilet in the area.

Regarding water supply, Ogwang Alunyu explained that JF Wells Work Africa had drilled only four of the 24 planned boreholes in Kamdini town council, citing restrictions imposed by government policies.

In response to these pressing challenges, Patrick Ogwang Obura, a resident of Amenya cell and an MP aspirant for Oyam South, pledged to build a public toilet at Iwang IKee trading centre to protect community health. He also committed to repairing existing boreholes in Kamdini town council in collaboration with Tree for Life and Pioneer Evangelist Africa Mission. The initiative aims to drill 10 new boreholes and repair over 100 across Oyam South.