Since the return to power of the Sandinista government 18 years ago, the Nicaraguan Water and Sewer Company (ENACAL) has been carrying out several projects to bring drinking water to urban and rural areas.
According to official sources, this year, ENACAL plans to inaugurate 30 drinking water projects in 13 Nicaraguan cities, benefiting more than 147,000 families.
Additionally, they plan to reach 98 percent national coverage by 2026, with an investment of $280 million.
Representatives of the National Assembly (Parliament) of Nicaragua recognized this week, in a plenary session, the efforts of the government, led by co-presidents Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, to guarantee access to drinking water in the Central American nation.
Representative Ligia María Flores, of the Environment and Natural Resources Commission, added that through Enacal, they guarantee service to all families, as well as the continuity and expansion of the systems, through the construction of new wells in communities that historically lacked service.
The representative urged raising awareness about not wasting this precious liquid and affirmed that here, water is a heritage of the people, “a social and environmental asset and, therefore, a natural treasure.”
“Nicaragua has been blessed with abundant water resources, both surface water and groundwater. These resources play a fundamental role in socioeconomic development, public health, and the preservation of our Mother Earth,” she emphasized. She stated that integrated water resource management is based on the model of partnership, consensus, and shared responsibilities promoted by the Executive Branch with various stakeholders at the national and local levels.
“This model, in accordance with the national plan to combat poverty, includes actions and territorial management consistent with development and the main productive sectors, formulating regulatory instruments to balance water supply and demand,” she emphasized.
According to the legislator, the government has prioritized the fight against poverty and malnutrition, and in this sense, guarantees access to drinking water and sanitation as a fundamental human right.
“Our water resources are essential for agriculture, industry, energy generation, and tourism; their sustainable management is crucial for economic growth and poverty reduction,” the representative stated.
He added that Nicaragua is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to drought and flooding, which is why proper management of water resources is vital to increasing resilience and protecting communities.
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