RUBANDA – Rubanda District Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Samuel Ahabwe, has urged residents of Habuhutu Town Council to take ownership of a government-funded water project, saying its long-term success depends on how well the community protects and maintains it.
Speaking while monitoring the project on Tuesday, Ahabwe said the investment goes beyond the construction of water infrastructure and is expected to improve the quality of life for residents.
“This project is about more than pipes and tanks. It is about improving health, sanitation, education and productivity. When families have clean water, the burden of disease reduces, and women and children gain time for other productive activities,” he said.
He cautioned residents against vandalism and illegal water connections, noting that such practices could undermine the benefits of the project.
“Government has invested substantial resources. The sustainability of this investment now depends on how well the community safeguards it,” Ahabwe added.
The CAO also commended families who voluntarily provided land for the construction of the water source and pipeline routes, describing their support as key to the project’s progress.
He further thanked the Project Management Committee, the contractor, and the district’s technical staff for their contribution to the implementation of the project.
Ahabwe reaffirmed the government’s commitment under the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) to expand access to safe and clean water, saying the initiative is critical to improving public health and driving socio-economic transformation.
He called on all stakeholders to continue working together to ensure the project is completed on schedule and properly maintained.
“Let us work together through a Whole-of-Government Approach to ensure this project is completed on time, maintained properly, and serves beneficiaries for many years,” he said.
