Mabil Ha To Get Its First Water Supply System

Over the weekend, Mabil Ha Village, a Maya community in Toledo District, broke ground for a new water supply system. The project has been long in the making. Residents have had to rely on water sources that are not the safest, including creeks and natural springs. But all that is about to change thanks to a partnership between the Caribbean Development Bank, the Ministry of Rural Transformation and The Belize Social Investment Fund. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Having no access to potable water may be an unimaginable thought to many Belizeans. But for the residents of Mabil Ha Village, this kind of access has been one of their longstanding desires. Well, the village is finally getting a water supply system. A groundbreaking ceremony was held over the weekend in the community. Jose Salam, the Chairman of the village says he has been waiting all his life.

 

Jose Salam, Chairman, Mabil Ha Village

“Water is an essential source of life, and it has been thirty-eight years that I have been living in this community and our life desire was to have potable drinking water implemented in our community. I know that this will have a significant positive impact on the livelihood of our villagers. This is a number one step forward in the development of our community. Even though we have other important needs to the development of our community, we chose water because it is second to oxygen we breathe, and these are the main priorities of living.”

 

 

 

The project comes by way of a partnership between The Belize Social Investment Fund, the Caribbean Development Bank and the Ministry of Rural Transformation. Entire families attended the ceremony, some sat under the tent provided while others watched on from under the shade of surrounding trees. Oscar Requena, the Minister of Rural Transformation was present.

 

 

 

 

 

Oscar Requena, Minister of Rural Transformation

“I want to say to you water is very important, and we have something over there that speaks about goal six. Goal six speaks about ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all and that is important, because just like how the people in Cayo, Corozal, Belize City want clean safe, potable water, the people of Mabil Ha and everywhere in this country deserves safe, clean, potable water and Mr. chairman as you said, we have worked very diligently, we have worked hard with our prime minister, John Briceno and this government under Plan Belize to ensure no one is left behind. And me Oscar Requena I will always fight for the rural people I will always fight for the poor people like you who live in the villages, because I grew up in a village. I grew up without water. I used to go get water in a creek so I understand the poor people and what they feel.”

 

Residents of Mabil Ha have relied on creeks, natural springs and hand pumps to meet their water needs. Not only are these methods time-consuming, but they also pose significant health risks. That will soon be a thing of the past. Carlos Tun, the Executive Director at Belize Social Investment Fund, says every resident will have access to clean water when the project is completed.

 

Carlos Tun, Executive Director, Social Investment Fund

“The sub project will provide for the construction of a supply well and a reinforced concrete pump house to provide ground water. This pumping station equipped with two five thousand gallons storage tanks will be powered by solar systems ensuring sustainability and efficiency. Additionally, a standby generator will be available to supply supplementary power when necessary. The installation of over seventeen thousand feet or four inch and two inch pipes will form the back bone of this system along with fifty-four service connections to provide water to the school, residents and churches. This infrastructure will transform the way water is supplied in Mabil Ha, ensuring that every corner of the village is adequately served.”

 

Jose Salam

“Various administrations have passed but they were not able to react to our cry. Therefore, I take this opportunity to thank the honorable Briceno and his administration for acknowledging and taking into consideration the harsh realities and challenges we face in this rural community of the Toledo West.”

 

 

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.