Mwasina out, Tola in

TAKES OVER

JANUARY 18, 2010

BY EUGENE OMILO

Coast water services board’s new CEO Andy Tola took over office yesterday with a promise to revamp the current battered image of the crucial board in the region.

Tola was appointed last week on an acting capacity by Water minister Charity Ngilu to replace Idd Mwasina who was recalled to the ministry’s headquarters.

In his first press briefing in his office after meeting various heads of departments yesterday, the CEO thanked Water minister Charity Ngilu for having confidence in him.

He called on cooperation from all players and stakeholders saying the board will deliver and ensure residents all over the province have regular access to piped water.

“What we need is to review our policies and strategies because the challenges facing the board can be handled,” said Tola.

He said he will focus on maximizing exploitation of the current water sources to boost storage as well as supply.

He said the board has already ordered for two pumps at a cost of Sh 8 million to be installed at Baricho in an effort to increase supply in north coast.

“We shall enhance our drought mitigation programmes in the semi arid areas which include drilling and equipping wells and building water pans through involving the beneficiaries,” he added.

The biggest challenge though will be replacing the old pipes which burst often occasioning water shortages in most of the areas.

He noted that water projects are expensive and appealed to consumers to conserve the available resources and report leakages in time.

Tola joined the Water ministry in 1998 and prior to his current posting was the assistant director in charge of water resources at the ministry’s headquarters.

Born in Hola, Tana River district, Tola holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Moi University and a Masters in Water and Environmental Sources Management from the UNESCO  I.H.E. Institute for Water Education in Netherlands. 

ENDS…