Masindi residents commend NWSC for quality service delivery in financial year 2018/19

The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has hosted Masindi area stakeholders for a meeting to evaluate the corporation’s performance in the area.

The meeting is part of the utilities’ accountability structures aimed at providing service delivery transparency to its customers and stakeholders.

Masindi area manager, Racheal Ann Alokit, shared progress of NWSC works done in the area in the last financial year. These include: Laying 58kms of water mains, coverage of in 68 villages out of 83 villages in the municipality, extended services to seven villages outside the municipality, constructed 125 public stand pipes, connected 588 new customers and installed standby generators for Kiyanja water works.

Other achievements are; improvement and water expansion project of Kiyanja water treatment plant from 1.5 million litres per day to three million litres per day, construction of 100,000 litres capacity tank to serve Kyema and the surrounding areas, upgraded Hoima-Kinyara road to boost supply to Kihande, Kinogozi and surrounding areas and construction of twin tanks in Kikwanana to serve Kamurasi-Biizi and the surrounding areas.

Ms Alokit went ahead to share plans for the 2019/2020 F/Y aimed at boosting access to clean water and sanitation in the area.

Masindi deputy mayor Zaina Byenkya appreciated NWSC Managing Director, Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha, for the unique leadership style.
“It is rare for institution leaders to often meet with their customers and stakeholders. In Masindi, we are happy to meet you often,” she said.

She further appreciated NWSC accountability structures that give customers and stakeholders progress reports at the end of each financial year.

Masindi LC.5 chairman Cosmas Byaruhanga appreciated the service improvements in the area.
“Our people are happy that the challenges we experienced last financial year have been addressed. I urge our people to protect our environment and also use the water to improve their lives.”

Dr. Mugisha, appreciated the customers and stakeholders for the feedback. He encouraged them to always challenge the institution to serve them better.

Speaking at the meeting, Mugisha encouraged NWSC managers to look at problems as opportunities to make a difference in the community.
“Feedback from our customers helps us to improve and do better,” he said.

Using the price of other commodities, he made direct comparisons with the NWSC tariff to sensitize customers on bill payment.

“A jerrycan of water at NWSC lowest tariff is Shs25. If you compare this with a kilo of meat, airtime of Shs2000, a bottle of beer at Shs3000, sms message at Shs60 among others, the price of water is very cheap. At Shs68 per jerrycan (domestic rate), one who consumes a beer at Shs3000 has taken over 40 jerrycans of water. Water is the cheapest commodity in the country,” he said.

Mugisha shared the corporation’s expansion plans, strategic direction and financial position to improve water supply reliability.

He encouraged the residents to join NWSC in the quest towards 100 percent service coverage. “In some areas, the residents trench for themselves and we lay the main lines. Let’s work together and build our nation. Equity benefits the vigilant,” he said.

He encouraged managers to understand the interests of local leaders and work with them to serve the people better.

He warned the area NWSC managers against keeping pipes at their offices, saying they are not decorations. He emphasised that pipes should be used in serving people with water. He urged managers to be result oriented and do away with lamentations but instead solve problems that face clients.

Masindi RDC, Godfrey Nyakahuma, applauded NWSC service delivery models.
“NWSC is very exceptional compared to other government departments and agencies. It is very important to listen to the people who consume your services, “he said.

Nyakahuma commended Mugisha, saying he is an exemplary leader: “This is not the first time I am attending such a meeting. I attended a similar one day when I was RDC Hoima and Dr. Silver was there. He is not a desk officer like many other lazy leaders.”

He thanked the corporation for helping the government fight against water- borne diseases such as Cholera, Dysentery and Typhoid through the provision of safe clean water, as well as getting involved in tree planting initiatives to green the environment.