Eastern PS advises community to preserve trees

Eastern PS advises community to preserve trees

Chipata, January 27, ZANIS——–Eastern province Permanent Secretary Chileshe Mulenga has urged communities in Kwenje ward in Kasenengwa constituency to preserve trees to avert drying up of water points.

Dr Mulenga said deforestation is negatively impacting on the drilling of boreholes in some part of the province because of massive cutting down of trees.

He was speaking at a meeting held at Kwenje Rural Health Centre in Chief Nzamane’s area.

The Permanent Secretary said people in the region have a tendency of cutting down trees without replacing them adding that if the situation is not corrected the water problems will persist.

And Dr Mulenga said the region was allocated two dams under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives while Water Affairs has the mandate to construct dams.

“We should conserve trees because if we cut all, even if we drill boreholes water will not be found,” he added.

Meanwhile, Provincial Medical Officer Kennedy Malama said water problems at Kwenje Rural Health Centre will be sorted out as his office is aware that the borehole at the health facility dries up during dry season.

Dr Malama further said his office will engage Rural Water Supply and Sanitation under the council so that a new borehole is sunk at the health centre.

The duo were responding to concerns raised by villagers over lack of water at the institution and the area at large and also requesting for a dam to be constructed in the area.

Martin Mphanza complained of lack of water at the Health centre while Teddy Chisi echoed similar sentiments put across by villagers adding that 57 farms in Chikungu did not have a single borehole and that there was need for government to construct a dam in the ward.