Govt prioritises provision of clean, safe water

—Southern Province Permanent Secretary, Bernard Namachila, says the Patriotic Front government has prioritized the provision of clean and safe drinking water because of its importance in poverty reduction and national development.

Mr Namachila says this is because the PF government knows that safe water and good sanitation lead to improved health and productivity of the majority citizens.

He was speaking in Choma today when he officiated at the 3^rd Provincial stakeholder’s consultative meeting on the development of the National Water Supply and Sanitation policy.

Mr Namchaila said it is government’s desire to ensure that there is an appropriate policy framework aimed at guiding stakeholders in the water supply and sanitation sub-sector.

He expressed concerned that over the years of implementing the water and sanitation project activities in the country, it has been common for various stakeholders to underplay or altogether ignore the importance of sanitation

He said water supply and sanitation are two sides of the same coin that cannot work without the other.

Mr Namachila said it is for this reason that government, through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, has initiated the process of formulating a national water supply and sanitation policy in order to provide clear guidance to the sub-sector.

The consultative meeting attracted water utility companies from Southern, Eastern, Western and Lusaka Provinces.