Ethiopia is embarking on a significant mission to provide clean water to 1.6 million of its citizens through the Water for Life plus Project. Launched two years ago, this initiative aims to improve the quality of life by ensuring access to clean water and energy. The project also includes plans to enhance healthcare facilities and schools, with a targeted impact on health and education.
According to Abera Endeshaw, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Water and Energy (MoWE), the project’s objective is to benefit society by addressing the essential need for clean, potable water. However, despite its noble intentions, the project has encountered challenges in execution. Health State Minister Dereje Duguma (MD) emphasized the crucial role of the project in improving public health through ensuring access to clean water, but also highlighted the absence of proper checks and balances, resulting in performance issues.
Ermias Mekonnen, Water for Life plus Project Audit Coordinator at MoWE, provided insight into the project’s progress, revealing that only a fraction of the intended population has benefitted from the initiative. Numerous water wells remain undrilled, and there are issues with the quality and availability of water in some areas. This underscores the need for coordinated efforts among stakeholders to address these shortcomings and ensure the project’s effectiveness.
Dereje and Ermias proposed essential measures to overcome these challenges, including establishing closer cooperation among stakeholders, enhancing the project management unit, and securing leadership involvement. They also stressed the importance of purchasing specified drilling equipment, conducting thorough geological surveys before drilling, and fostering collaboration between the program management unit, the steering committee, and other stakeholders.
The Water for Life plus Project, with a budget of 239 million USD funded by the Ethiopian government and the Children’s Investment Fund (CIFF), is being implemented across 10 woredas in various states. Despite the hurdles encountered, the commitment to delivering clean water to millions of Ethiopians remains steadfast, underscoring the vital importance of this initiative for the nation’s well-being.
