Excitement and gratitude loomed over Yumbe Government Prison on Monday, May 5th, 2025 as the facility received a much-needed boost in water storage, thanks to a donation of a 2,000-litre water tank from Zubair Isa Arima, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) Branch Manager for Yumbe.
The donation fulfilled a personal pledge Arima made soon after assuming his role in June last year. Reflecting on his visit to the prison at the time, Arima said he was struck by the pressing need for water storage at the facility.
“There was no system to reserve water during shortages so I felt compelled, both personally and in line with NWSC’s mission to ensure water for all strengthening stakeholder relationships, to step in and provide this tank to help the prison manage its water needs,” he explained while handing over the tank.
Arima emphasized that storage is critical for reliable water access within the prison, especially given Yumbe’s intermittent supply challenges. “Water production here has been low, but through careful rationing, we’ve managed to reach various communities. The need for improved production is clear, and we’re working on it,” he said.
He noted that ongoing rehabilitation of the Morodu production well is expected to significantly increase supply. “We’re optimistic that once the works are complete, water production will rise, and the prison will have a more consistent supply,” he added.
Currently, NWSC Yumbe produces about 1,110 cubic meters of water daily, far below the estimated 5,500 cubic meters required to meet demand for a population exceeding 600,000. Arima revealed that a water supply stabilization project is underway to address this gap. Notably, the project will add six high-yield production wells, expanding coverage to both refugee and host communities, and extending pipelines to unserved areas.
“This investment will enable us to deliver safe, clean water to more people, including those previously left out,” Arima said. He also called on the public to report water infrastructure issues like leaks or vandalism to NWSC’s toll-free lines (0800200977 | 0800300977) to help reduce water loss and improve service delivery.
Receiving the donation, ASP Rashid Alidro, the Officer in Charge of Yumbe Prison, expressed deep gratitude. “This is a big relief. I oversee 222 inmates, and before this, we relied on a borehole and well 500 meters away, a serious security risk whenever inmates went out to fetch water,” he said.
Alidro stressed that the new tank would enhance security by eliminating the need for prisoners to leave the premises for water. “You can’t safely send inmates outside for water without risking escapes. This tank addresses that risk. I’m truly grateful to Mr. Arima for this thoughtful and timely gesture,” he added.
He also praised Arima’s leadership in improving water access at the prison. “Before he arrived, we had a line but no water. Now, under his management, we are finally getting clean, piped water. It’s a clear improvement in service delivery,” Alidro noted.
ACP Leni Ndori, Regional Prisons Commander for the North West region, also applauded the donation. “This tank will make a huge difference for our inmates. With the addition of new wards, including a female ward supported by the European Union, this reservoir ensures that inmates can access water for bathing and sanitation within the facility,” she said.
Ndori highlighted that the donation would help phase out the outdated bucket system previously used for waste disposal. “This is a step forward for Yumbe Prison. Thanks to Mr. Arima and NWSC for partnering with us in improving conditions for our inmates,” she said.
