Ivan Tekakwo, the Communication Officer at NWSC Gulu Office says that from October last year to date, they have received close to 1,000 cases of stolen water meters from their clients.
Residents of
Gulu City are irked by the rampant theft of water meters by unknown people. The
water meters are reportedly stolen and sold to dealers who extract the copper
materials and melt them into other valuable products.
Nasula Akongo, a resident of Pece –Laroo Division in Gulu City says that her
water meter was stolen in November last year by unknown people at night and
that her neighbor also lost two of her meters that same night.
According to Akongo, she has to pay 101,000 Shillings to acquire a new one upon
obtaining a letter from the police. Akongo revealed that she has now built
barricades around the new meter to guard it against being stolen.
Ronnie Onen, a resident of Forgod Ward, Bardege –Layibi Division in Gulu City
says that since 2019 to date, he has been battling with the thieves. According
to Onen, his tap was vandalized by the thieves after they failed to steal the
new water meter since he secured it with metals.
Charles Oywak Oling, another resident whose meter was also stolen last year
when he was away from home disclosed that the vice is very common in the area
of Lacan –Kwite in Bardege –Layibi Division in Gulu City.
Ivan Tekakwo, the Communication Officer at NWSC Gulu Office says that from
October last year to date, they have received close to 1,000 cases of stolen
water meters from their clients. He says that the theft of the water meters has
greatly affected the water supply in affected areas.
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Tekakwo revealed that the vice is very rampant in the areas like Layibi Central
in Pece –Laroo Division, as well as the central business district, among
others.
He also revealed that all the complaints they received have been referred to the
police to investigate. Tekakwo appealed to the locals to safeguard their meters
jealously since the process of replacing them is very tedious and expensive. A
new meter costs 101,000 Shillings.
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David Mudong Ongom, the Aswa River Region Police
Spokesperson confirmed the incidents saying the police are investigating some
of the cases reported. He also advised the locals whose water meters have been
stolen to report to police so that it is followed up.
Jesse Johnson James
Freelancer