Nandom (U/W), Sept. 8, GNA - Efforts aimed at ensuring the sustainable operation and maintenance of community run water systems in the three Northern Regions received a boost on Saturday with the passing out of 33 pipe mechanics and fitters after a five-week training course at the Nandom Vocational School.

They are made up of 19 area mechanics including one woman and 14 fitters.

The area mechanics are private service providers that support the communities at the village level in the maintenance of their hands pumps.

The pipe fitters that are staff of the various water and sanitation development boards are responsible for the effective distribution of water and for the maintenance of the piping systems.

The training of the mechanics was made possible through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) sponsored District Capacity Building Project (DISCAP).

It is aimed at sustaining existing water and sanitation facilities in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr Raphael Mampusuo, Water and Sanitation Expert of DISCAP, said operation and maintenance courses for water and sanitation has been identified as one aspect of capacity building of partners and stakeholders to sustain the water and sanitation systems.

Mr Mampusuo said the project had assisted the Nandom Vocational School and the Tamale Polytechnic to develop training courses for some staff of the water and sanitation boards and some private service providers in the water and sanitation industry.

He said DISCAP would in the coming months also assist the School of Hygiene in Tamale and the Bolgatanga Polytechnic to develop training courses for environmental health unit staff and other water board staff. Mr James Dassah, the Regional Planning Officer, commended CIDA for its involvement in the water sector in the North over the past 30 years.