By Sadiq Bamwita
ENTEBBE
The Entebbe Fisheries Training Institute was on Tuesday 13th, February 2024 boosted with solar powered water pumping and Lighting system so as to reduce on the costs of water and electricity bills.
The principal of Fisheries Institute, Willy Ofwono Osinde noted that despite solving the costs of water and electricity utilities, the institute faces serious challenges some of which are beyond his control adding that if unsolved the institute risks closure.
While addressing a meeting during the commissioning of solar powered water pumping and lighting system at the Fisheries Institute in Entebbe, Osinde revealed that in the last financial year 2023/2024, the institute received Shs 600 million to install a solar powered water pumping and Lighting system, develop a new course curriculum and also map out institutions for students internship placement, all of which have been accomplished.
“We developed a reviewed curriculum and it’s now before the National Curriculum Development Center for approval,” he said.
“The solar powered water pumping and lighting system is a milestone registered in the right direction towards efficient use of available resources. This project plays a significant role and will reduce the cost of utilities and provide security through lighting system,” he added.
Osinde said the installation of solar lighting system will make it easier for students to revise their books especially when power goes off revealing that currently the institution spends Shs. 6.3 million on electricity and Shs. 3m on water bills.
Mr. Ofwono also implored government to establish skills development centers across the country, and also equip the youth with skills required in Fisheries sector.
“On the issue of diversification, we have partnered with development partners by developing module courses like certificate in acquaculture among others, all awaiting accreditation from National Council for higher education. The creation of these courses has increased demand for infrastructures which are currently inadequate to accommodate the increasing school population.
“We have huge outstanding bills from the food supplier which the institute can’t afford to repay. Therefore, something must be done immediately to address this issue, and short of this, the institute risks closure.
” To make matters worse, the institute has low staffing levels and recently we requested government to fix this issue but only few vacant positions were filled yet we need more staff on board .
Eng. Isaac Kyeyune, the project manager for Techford contractors and supplier, a company that undertook the installation of solar powered water pumping and Lighting system, explained that the project was designed to save the cost of utility bills for water and electricity.
” The aim of this project was to provide sustainable cost saving for water and electricity bills. Apparently, the Institute spends 30,000 liters daily, and at first we had looked at rain water harvest as a best option but the issue of reliability forced us to drop it.
” It was deemed necessary to install 9.6 solar generating wat system so as to effectively support pumping water and power lighting system. The solar powered water pumping system pumps 5 cubic per hour and 40 cubic in a day.
” At the Dining hall and Administration block, a 6.5 solar wat generating system was installed . Installed solar pannel systems can provide light for two consecutive days. We are very hopeful that the installed solar lighting system would greatly cut down expenses on electricity bills.
Eng. Kyeyune noted that though the site for the installed solar powered water pumping and Lighting system seems to be unique because of being near the Lake , it’s subject to heavy wind that blow towards it’s direction.
” To address heavy wind, we made sure the solar pannels were assembled on three different wings one at the administration building, another on Dining hall and the third one in the kitchen. For safety of these solar pannels, a system was modified on top of them to protect them very well.
” Though at moment the institute has a reservoir of water tank with capacity of 35,000 liters , the institute requires a big reservoir with capacity of 50,000 liters hence the institute should lobby for more funds to achieve this.
“Since the control electric box and acurators are too old , we developed parrarel controllers for safety of students at the institute.
The Commissioner for water production and infrastructures at the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, assured Management of Fisheries institute that his ministry will provide the necessary technical aspects needed to manage the installed solar powered water pumping and Lighting system.
The Acting Commissioner for Fisheries , Joseph Bwanika, expressed pleasure that installation of the solar powered water pumping and Lighting system is a great achievement in securing sustainable water and electricity supply. He added that by achieving both sustainable utilities and curriculum review means the future is safe for the learners at the Fisheries institute.
The chairman Governing council for Fisheries Training Institute as well as the Head of department of Zoology , Entomology and Fisheries science at Makerere University, Dr. Godfrey Kawooya Kubiriza, commended the Principal of the Fisheries institute for his good leadership by providing physical accountability instead of unwanted reciept accountability. He, however tasked management of Fisheries institute to link up with well established institutions to offer better internship placements for Fisheries students.
” Throughout my tenure in office, I have observed the institute has more pressing needs. Therefore, potential investors should be given a green light to work with the Fisheries Training Institute.
” The institute needs more infrastructures to open up opportunities for more students. While the asebtos on the staff quarters need to be removed and reroof the houses with good iron sheets.
The undersecretary Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, who officiated the commissioning of the solar powered water pumping and Lighting system at the Fisheries Training Institute , Ronald Jagenda Segawa, admitted that the issue of funding government institutions is a big crisis due to withdraw of some donor agencies that have been central in funding a number of government projects . He asked management of Fisheries Training Institute to admit more private students and if possible reduce on admitting government sponsored students so as to be able to generate enough money to run the institute.
” There is a serious crisis in leadership at this institute. So, I appeal to management of the institute to be so creative to be able to create alternative sources of income to run the prestigious Fisheries Training Institute.
” You have big land but surprisingly you only have 260 students. The principal and his team should form a think tank to think beyond government funds.
” I have been told the institute has got a computer lab with 30 computers but to my dismay management was demanding for more yet the available ones are underutilized. First put to good use what you have before you demand for more computers,” Segawa made the appeal.
Mr. Segawa revealed that government has prioritized the Fisheries sector mainly acquaculture and asked management of Fisheries Training Institute to teach students not to get employment but to impart skills in them that will make their lives better.
” Convert skills into production and teachers should take the lead. The biggest crisis in government is project management . I implore you to form partnership but you must be careful with some partnerships you form. Therefore, ensure you form the right partnerships that in future may not give you a bloody nose.
Mr. Segawa castigated management of Fisheries Training Institute for failure to utilize the vast piece of land housing the institute and advised them to have a proper plan for effective utilization of the available land.
He further tasked management of the Fisheries Training Institute to instill necessary skills among learners and also abandon preparing meals for students and instead bring the private sector on board to render this service at students own cost.
