By Ngor Deng Matem
The government of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State has rehabilitated 7 hand pumps or boreholes at a cost of 25 million South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) in Aweil East County.
According to the senior official in the Ministry of Cooperative, Water and Rural Development, 4 of the boreholes were repaired in Rumaker and 3 in Malualkuel.
“The 25 million SSP was approved by the state governor, Tong Akeen Ngor, and was spent on purchasing the spare parts. The work was completed within a three-week period,” stated Mr. Dut Deng Gabriel, the Director General for the Ministry of Cooperative, Water and Rural Development.
Garang Baak Kuol, a resident of Rumaker town, confirmed the repair of the boreholes.
“It is true that some boreholes have been repaired, but I don’t know the exact number. Last week, some water mechanics were busy repairing a hand pump near the market, and I saw people pumping water yesterday,” Baak said.
In the past, residents of Rumaker and Malualkuel villages had complained about water shortages and a lack of other basic services.
The rehabilitation of these 7 hand pumps is expected to alleviate the water scarcity issues in the affected communities.