State ready to assist clear Kafubu weed

State ready to assist clear Kafubu weed

Ndola, August  5, 2014,ZANIS—Government  is ready to work  with the  Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company to clear the weeds that have covered most parts of the Kafubu  river.

ZANIS reports that Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Howard Sikwela said this during a meeting with Kafubu water and Sewerage Company Managing Director Athanasius Mwaba in Ndola today .

According to Mr. Mwaba, Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company has  approximately 55,000 clients in Ndola, Luanshya and Masaiti and it is for this reason that  there should be  worry  over the weeds that have continued to spread over the river.

“These settlements account for 87, 12 and 1 percent  water supply respectively”, explained Mr. Mwaba

He further explained that the weeds have greatly reduced water supply form the Kafubu River to the treatment plants because they are causing blockages to the pipes that supply water to the treatment plant.

“The weeds have spread so widely that it has become more difficult for us to pump water from the river into the treatment plant”, Mwaba continued

He also added that apart from the weeds there is also encroachment of the river bank by illegal settlers which is also hindering the supply of water.

After the meeting Rev. Sikwela accompanied by Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company Water Production Manager  Benard Phiri undertook a tour of the Kafubu river.

The Permanent Secretary who later toured Itawa Treatment Plant has also warned land encroachers who have constructed houses on the banks of the Kafubu river of serious consequences if they do not vacate the land.

“The people who have put up illegal structures along the banks of this river should demolish them or else we might have a repeat of the incident that happened in Kitwe were illegal structures were demolished by the council”, said Rev. Sikwela

Meanwhile, Ndola Town Clerk Ernest Sumano disclosed that  Ndola city council has contracted Clay Disposal to clear the weeds.

At the same occasion Clay Disposal company director David Kema said it will take them approximately four months to completely clear the weeds from the river banks.