Garrissa County is expected to benefit from the construction of the Sh142 million Earth Fill Water Dam.
The national government is constructing the water infrastructure through the Coast Development Authority (CDA) in Bura Galmagala division, Fafi constituency.
The main aim of the project is to cushion residents from the pangs of drought.
CDA Managing Director MD Dr. Mohammed Keinan said once completed the dam will serve approximately 69,000 households for domestic, livestock, and small-scale irrigation.
“The water pan has a capacity of harvesting 350,000 cubic meters of rainwater and this project is going to be a game-changer in addressing the perennial water shortage that has beleaguered the region,” he said during the interview.
Further, the dam will mitigate the effects of drought facing Garissa and Mr Keinan added that the agency had to make an emergency decision because the project is going to be the only source of water to serve the entire community including schools.
The sorry situation caused by drought in Garissa has forced local residents to endure a 110 kilometers walk to access the rare commodity for both livestock and domestic use.
“The purpose of smallholder irrigation is to achieve the food security of the area inhabitants, and from the engineers report the dam is 30 percent complete and will be complete before the end of this year.
The dam will have sufficient water to cater for the entire population’s needs,” he added.
One of the residents Ms. Sasa Abdulahi, applauded the project saying it will the area by relieving them from the burden of walking long distances to look for water.
She said that the little water they get from the few sources is also not pure and safe for drinking.
“We are happy because this big project will save us from suffering from water-borne related diseases, the water we use is not safe for drinking because we share it with domestic animals,” she said.
According to Mr. Yusuf Omar Abdi an area MCA said since independence, residents have only depended on rainy water which is trapped in water pans.
“Most of the residents have been migrants because of the search for water, we have examples of pastoralists who migrate for about 500 kilometers from here with their kettle because of drought. We are happy as residents because this project will bring water to our doorstep,” said Mr. Abdi.
Bura Assistant County Commissioner Titus Mbogo, underscored the need to fast track the water project before the rainy season kicks off later this year.
He said residents have also depended on Water tankers which have proven to be expensive.
“We call on other players to join hands with the government and do whatever necessary to save these communities from drought,” said Mbogo.
The residents further want the government to invest money for pumping the water to other regions around there to save hundreds of residents bearing the brunt of drought and famine.
*This article was written by Ramadhan Kambi for Uzalendo News. Email: uzalendonews@gmail.com for News tips and Inquiries.
