– Govt. commissions water supply project in Luanshya District

Government in partnership with Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company has commissioned a K900, 000 water supply project in Kawama Township in Luanshya district.

Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili says that people of Kawama have for a long time had no access to proper source of water supply as they mainly depended on shallow wells.

Mr. Kambwili said in order to resolve the water crisis in Kawama, KWSC undertook the project which has seen the opening up of Five water kiosks using government assistance through its Financing Agency, the Devolution Trusty Fund (DTF).

ZANIS reports that the Roan MP who is also Youth and Sports minister said this when he commissioned the project, in Luanshya today.

He noted that the project was targeted to service over 7500 people with portable domestic water and consequently increase the company water supply coverage by 12 percent.

He reaffirmed governments’ commitment to increasing access to clean and safe drinking water in urban and peri urban areas, aimed at meeting water and sanitation linked Vision 2030 targets.

He said government has embarked on a series of initiatives which will see an increase to access to clean and safe drinking water up to 84 percent from the current 82 percent.

Mr. Kambwili who is also Youth and Sports Minister said the project was a clear manifestation of the fulfilment of the promises President Michael Sata and the Patriotic Front government made to improve water and sanitation services to all Zambian.

And Luanshya District Commissioner Harold Mbaulu said that government, in its Sixth National Development Plan has set water and sanitation as a primary sector in enhancing national development, appreciating DTF and KWSC for the gesture.

And DTF Manager Sam Gonga estimated that 2 million people living in low income areas in Zambia still have no access to safe water, with an even bigger number having no access to basic sanitation services.

Mr., Gonga said in its effort to respond to the distressing situation, government has undertaken reforms to restructure the water sector with a strong emphasis on the need to provide improved service delivery.

He added that DTF has financed 77 water supply projects countrywide and that 61 projects were completed benefiting 949, 789 people with sustainable access to water supply.

And KWSC board Chairperson Sydney Mwatamandi said the water utility company has improved its service delivery in the district to 56 percent of water coverage, 73 percent metering system and moved from 4 hours to 20 hours water supply on a daily basics.
Mr. Mwatamandi noted that the Kawama water supply project would contribute to percent increase of water supply in the district.

Meanwhile Luanshya Mayor Gordon Siwale said the water project will help uplift the health status and standards on living in karamu as well as create an enabling environment for future development.

The occasion was attended by the Luanshya deputy Mayor Elizabeth Mulenga who is also area councilor, former Mayor Nathan Mulenga, all government department heads and the patriotic Front party officials.