OFFICIAL LAUNCHING OF THE WATER WELL PROJECT IN AL-FATAH 1, KARARI LOCALITY, OMDURMAN, 16 FEBRUARY 2019
The official launching of the water well project in Al-Fatah 1, Karari Locality, Omdurman was held on Saturday, 16 February 2019. The launching was attended by HE Mohamad Razdan Jamil, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Republic of the Sudan together with Mr Azhan Ali, Chairman of PETRONAS Sudan Operations, Mr Yusuf Balla, Commissioner of Karari Locality, PETRONAS and Embassy Staff including their respective families and the residents of the Al-Fatah community.
This important social responsibility project could not have been possible if not from the generous donations and support from Malaysians and Sudanese living in Sudan as well as in Malaysia. From the experience of PETRONAS operating in Sudan for more than 20 years, this project is special as it symbolizes Malaysia’s commitment and desire to give back to the Sudanese community. Both the Embassy and PETRONAS aims to continue ensuring that this water well will continue to supply clean and fresh water to the community for many years to come. The success of this water well project is a testament of the close and intimate people-to-people linkages that exist between both countries
As a little background, the physical work on the water well began in early 2018 and was completed in May. PETRONAS using its pool of expertise bore a hole to a depth of 500 feet deep to access a stable and clean supply of groundwater. In order to ensure that the well is strong and long lasting, the contractors reinforced the well’s walls with concrete. The donations were also utilized to purchase a diesel generator, a large water tank as well as build appropriate infrastructure surrounding the well. There is certainly a need to educate and commitment made by the collective including those who benefits to ensure its sustainability.
In summing up, the Ambassador’s speech highlights some important points such as this project extends Malaysia’s global footprint particularly in societies that need assistance to access to clean and safe water in line with Malaysia’s continued commitment to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly goal number six which is accessing to clean water and sanitation. It is also hoped that with the success of this water well project, it will bring communities closer together through shared activities and the sense of belonging. This in turn will have a spill-over effect to developing the district further such as it will encourage economic activities to flourish, the bedrock of any successful society.
Malawakil Khartoum
17 February 2019