— Govt. increasing access to clean water for all

Govt. increasing access to clean water for all

Kitwe, August 25, 2014, ZANIS——– Government says it has made tremendous progress in ensuring that all citizens have access to clean water and good sanitation services.

LOCAL Government and Housing Permanent Secretary Stanford Mschili says the water supply coverage in  the country has increased to 67 per cent in rural areas and 87 per cent in urban areas.

He added that 11 water utility companies have since been established and are  operational while 3 utility companies for sanitation have also been formed.

He further stated that the National Water Supply and Sanitation programme has been developed and can now be implemented by all stakeholders while the development of the Water Supply and Sanitation policy by the Ministry of Local government and Housing has reached an advanced stage.

ZANIS reports that the Permanent secretary was speaking in Kitwe today during a meeting for the National Steering Committee for Water Supply and Sanitation.

He however stated that there was still need to invest in the growth of the water utility companies to enable them meet the growing demand for their services due to the ever growing population.

He also noted that the water utility companies were also faced with challenge of obsolete equipment that need complete overhauling for them to function effectively.

He however stated that government is in discussion with the African Development Bank in an effort to secure funding for the water utility companies.

The meeting was attended by provincial permanent secretaries among other members of the committee.