Residents of Beshik-Jon village: “We have waited for the resolution of the clean drinking water issue for 28 years"

10.04.2019 15:52
Beshik-Jon AO has improved services on the clean drinking water provision for the population.
Residents of Beshik-Jon village: “We have waited for the resolution of the clean drinking water issue for 28 years"

On April 9, 2019, the official opening ceremony of the water supply system for 400 families of the village of Beshik-Jon of Beshik-Zhon ayil aymak of Jalal-Abad oblast took place. The Service Improvement Action Plan (SIAP) was implemented with financial support of the Public Service Improvement project financed by the Swiss Government through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and implemented by HELVETAS and Development Policy Institute. The ceremony was attended by the residents of aiyl aymak, deputies of aiyl kenesh, employees of CDWUU, LSG members, head of the Bazar-Korgon district state administration, as well PSI project.

In the last 25 years there has been constant discontent on the part of the population caused by the inadequate level of services on the clean drinking water provision for the population in the village of Beshik-Jon. 

Upon the launching of the project, the focus groups were held with the participation of vulnerable groups of the population, where the priority problems were identified and presented at the expanded meeting of the ayil aymak. Priority services were selected among the issues included in the joint action plan through discussions. One of them related to the provision the access to clean drinking water for the population in the village of Beshik-Jon. By the order of the A. Adishev, head of Beshik-Jon AO, the working group was created to develop an action plan to improve the provision of clean drinking water for the population of Beshik-Jon. Beshik-Jon Ayil Okmotu won the competition for the best Service Improvement Action Plan, which was conducted in the framework of the Public Service Improvement project. The total budget of the SIAP was 4,767.0 thousand soms, out of which 2,855.0 thousand soms are grant funds, and 1,912.0 thousand soms were allocated as Ayil Okmotu’s own contribution.

Within the SIAP implementation, the head water supply system was repaired, a reservoir with a drinking water 500 m3 capacity and 40 boxes with an integrated water meters were installed. Before the implementation of the project, the residents of the village Beshik-Jon had to use imported water and water from the ditches for daily consumption. After the implementation of the SIAP, 400 households were equipped with clean drinking water with the installation of water meters. The joint monitoring and evaluation team will regularly monitor and evaluate the quality of services on the provision of the drinking water for the population of the Beshik-Zhon.

During the public hearings with the participation of residents of aiyl aimak, tariffs for clean drinking water were discussed and approved and later endorsed by the session of Beshik-Jon ayil kenesh. The cooperation agreement for the provision of water supply services was signed between AO and CDWUU as well as between CDWUU and its subscribers (water-users).

Kurbanbekov Nurdin, a resident of the Beshik-Jon village: “All residents of our village, especially families with many children, young families and residents of villages with disabilities, have waited for the resolution of the clean drinking water issue for 28 years. Prior to that, we used to receive water twice a week for 2-3 hours only. Due to the lack of water, residents had to bring water by flasks on carts or on donkeys, and the task to carry water was mainly the responsibility of women and children. Residents even had to use imported water and water from the ditches. With the arrival of the project and with the improvement of water service, all residents now receive clean drinking water 24 hours a day for just 20 som per 1 m3. I think, this is a great achievement. Moreover, for 8 low-income families, pipes were laid at the expense of the local budget, and 50% privileges were provided for water payment”.

Arzieva Mindayim, focus group leader in the Beshik-Jon village: “We are very pleased that the issue of drinking water has been resolved in the village of Beshik-Jon. Now we have clean drinking water in our homes available 24 hours a day. In our family we have improved the conditions by installing a washing machine, a sink for washing dishes, and a shower room with hot and cold water. We also see the improved capacity of local governments and how they improve services working closely with the population by raising vital issues.”

To create favorable conditions for CDWUU employees, an office, as well as, the tools, an arc welding apparatus, an apparatus for welding plastic pipes, special clothes for plumbing works were allocated. Moreover, the employees were supplied with an equipment comprising a billing program for working with subscribers. As a result of the SIAP implementation, for more than 400 households or more than 2,500 residents of the Beshik-Jon village, for Mambetaliev school №7, kindergartens, first aid station, the access to clean drinking water has improved and is provided for 24 hours a day.