The Department of Water, Environment and Natural Resources in Busia county will benefit from lucrative budget of more than Sh800million in the 2019/2020 Financial Year, Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong has said.
Ojaamong was addressing the new BUWASSCO Board of Directors at Vittoria Suites in Kisumu when handed over the instruments of power to the board chair Dr. George Kwedho. He promised that his county government will double the current allocation to the department which currently stands at Sh410million.
“The issue of water is a big problem to residents of Busia County despite being surrounded by Lake Victoria, River Nzoia and River Yala. The new board should come out of the box to find a lasting solution to water scarcity in the county,” he said.
Governor Ojaamong handed over the Service Performance Agreement, company seal, provisional certificate of operation, Copy of certificate of incorporation, Copy of Busia Water Act 2015, the Strategic Plan and Articles of Association at the USAID-KIWASH.
“My Government will support the board but on condition that it comes up with best practices in alleviating water scarcity in the county,” Ojaamong said. He expressed great optimism saying that there are many organizations which are ready and willing to collaborate in provision of clean water in the county.
He said the issue of water in the county will impact the 2022 general elections, hence there need for all the relevant stakeholders to work hand in hand and ensure every region in the county can access sufficient drinking water.
The Governor urged the new board to learn from Singapore experiences which has very few water sources but adequately provides its citizens with imported water from Malaysia.
The Water Executive Dr Isaac Alukwe applauded the transparent recruitment of BUWASSCO Secretary and the other officials arguing that it will enhance quality delivery of services.
Dr Kwedho said although they are starting from the scratch, the enthusiasm of the board will take the Company far in realizing its mandate, adding that they will seal all loopholes leading to loss of water and revenue before rolling up their sleeves and hitting the ground running on infrastructure development.
The KIWASH Governance expert Noelle Obiri said they have new strategy to develop the company, through a smart strategic plan, Performance Improvement Plan and facilitated induction of the new board.
