Parliament — NATIONAL Water and Sewage Corporation has earmarked Shs5 billion to have Ugandans access free sewer connections.

The Managing Director NWSC, Mr William Muhairwe, told the Natural Resources Committee of Parliament last week that all customers whose premises are within 60 to 70 metres of main sewer line will be connected free of charge largely to improve sewage services throughout the country.

"Sewage is health. We shall cater for all materials for installation of sewer lines up to the customer premises. We are committed to see that sewage services are improved in all major towns where we operate," he told a committee chaired by Mr Emmanuel Dombo (Bunyoli).

He said domestic customers would pay only connection fee of Shs100,000 while Shs125,000 for commercial four-inch connection and 167,000 for commercial six-inch connection.

He apologised to the publicfor the inconveniences caused while fixing the Gaba 111 water mains.

"We sincerely apologise to the general public because this has created a lot of traffic in the city. But our old lines were too small that they could no longer carry enough water to our storage tanks," he said.

He said the project of fixing new Gaba 111 water mains will cost 15 million Euros. The water mains are to transfer water for storage tanks in Nakasero, Lubaga and Muyenga.

Muhairwe said that by December, customers would be able to pay water bills through their banks.

He said the corporation will soon sign contracts with the banks in a move intended to ease payment of the bills. He said customers will be urged to pay through the banks to reduce queues at offices.