The President revealed that in addition to the aforementioned project, through funding from the AfDB, 65 out of the 110 boreholes drilled since August 2022 will be upgraded to full solar-powered water supply systems; and that work started on those 65 sites in September 2023, and are expected to be ready for use by October 2024.
He extended sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Government of Japan for funding this significant project.
“It is a project that follows similar systems constructed in other parts of the country. Besides providing clean drinking water, economically, such water systems reduce pressure on our national health budget and fuel importation costs,” he said.
The President indicated that using solar-powered energy conforms with the National Climate Change Policy, which targets reducing emission of Green House Gases. Thus, the project, he said, will contribute to efforts aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in various ways.
He went on: “As contained in our National Development Plan - 2023-2027, our goal is to increase access to affordable and clean energy and achieve the Climate Action objectives. Thus, under the JICA Four Project, 20 solar-powered water supply systems now provide clean water to over 50, 000 people”.
The installation of 494 tap points, 30 boreholes, 30 solar water pumping systems, and 20 water tanks, with storage capacity ranging from 30,000 litres to 140,000 litres, he said, are meant to increase access to clean water. “In all, the solar-powered water systems will provide portable water to more than 68 villages”.
He explained that the project components include reducing hunger, enhancing good health and well-being, improving the policy environment to create equal opportunities for children and women, as well as ensuring access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities.
“On universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water, which is an aspect of the Recovery-Focused National Development Plan, Government will deepen collaboration with partners to promote use of renewable energy in the country”.
President Barrow finally advised that the water facilities are properly maintained and for beneficiaries to pay for consumption in order to guarantee sustainabilit
