Deputy Lugari District Irrigation Officer Mr Elijah Omenda addressing residents in Chekalini.[PHOTO|Joseph Amunya|Westfm]

Chekalini residents in Lugari District have been asked to jealously conserve and guard government funded water dam in the area to ensure that they optimally benefit from its services.

Addressing a Sensitization Public Forum on the dam Deputy Local Irrigation Officer Elijah Omenda advised the residents to ensure long term service of the dam and conserve other water sources arguing that they will come handy during dry seasons.

He discouraged against over reliance on rain fed agriculture pointing out that the onset of technology irrigation was a viable venture worth taking a plunge into. He said that unlike the previously times where the dam was not well utilized the officer appealed to the residents to make proper use of the facility and benefit fully from it.

“With irrigation you will be assured of farming throughout the year”, he said arguing that with ready market for horticultural products, residents were likely to be left smiling all the way to the bank.

He also called on them to ensure that they use clean water in their homes especially for domestic purposes such as drinking and cooking to guard against unwarranted water borne diseases.

Omenda pledged his department’s commitment on ensuring supply of clean and safe water to the residents.