Inauguration of Cooperation Projects of the Japanese Embassy in Cuba

CAMAGUEY, Cuba, Mar 21 (ACN) The rehabilitation and maintenance project of the aqueduct system in the Patricio Lumumba rural community of the municipality of Sibanicu to guarantee the stable and safe access of water in the region was inaugurated on Wednesday by Japan's ambassador to Cuba Masaru Watanabe.

The town, located 60 kilometers east of the city is currently benefited with the modern installations; three electric pumps, 72 elevated tanks and 9 kilometers of pipes to supply drinking water aimed at the preservation of the population's health and the development of agricultural and animal activities in the territory.

The Japanese ambassador expressed to the community that his government organized an emergency assistance in response to the humanitarian needs of those affected due to the impact of Hurricane Irma, which included the contribution of technical equipment for the supply of the vital liquid.

He said it was an honor as Japanese ambassador to contribute with the project in the territory which has the support of the representatives of the Provincial Aqueduct and Sewer Company and the NGO CARE International in charge of the management of the program.

The representative of the NGO, Richard Paterson expressed his satisfaction for the initiative with the financing of the Japanese embassy and the cooperation of the National Water Resources Institute and urged the rational use of water to reduce the vulnerability to climate change which is the main cause of droughts affecting the world.

As a result of the project the partial rehabilitation of pumping stations were highlighted with new machinery and the reanimation of the supply system of 14 buildings in the community to comply with the needs of its 116 inhabitants, said Yaisel Mayedo, Provincial Director of the EAA.

Odalis Ramirez Ricardo, homemaker and inhabitant of the town for over 40 years said that the water supply improved after executing the work. Odalis previously had to fill her buckets and carry it up to the 4 th floor of her apartment.

She recognized that the water availability is better as well as its quality, including the supply of the Mi Pequeno Principe Day Care Center and the Primera Revolucion Socialista de Octubre School in the community and two Cooperative Production Centers dedicated to the development of cattle.