The government of Sao Tome is extremely concerned about the shortage of drinking water distributed among the population. The official responsible for this sector was summoned by the head of the executive branch to develop strategies to resolve this issue.
Nilton Lima, Director of the Water Sector at Emmae company, stated that 'the prime minister/government is extremely concerned about the current water situation in the country' after a meeting that took place without the presence of press representatives.
According to Nilton Lima, the goal of this meeting was to allow the prime minister to hear from technical specialists, develop a strategy, and find the quickest way to solve the water problem that has existed in the country for several months.
Lima specified that Emmae uses two water sources for its reservoirs: rivers and springs. However, recently all regions supplied through springs have faced shortages because 'the springs have sharply reduced their flow.'
The lack of water has negatively affected various communities and public services on the archipelago, including schools and hospitals. At the beginning of this week, patients at Sao Tome's only hospital complained about the situation, noting an exacerbation of hygiene problems in medical facilities.
The patients' appeals prompted solidarity actions from citizens, who began offering bottles of water, as well as from the fire department, which provided water for the hospital warehouse.