K30 billion Wusakile sanitation project takes off

By ALEX NJOVU

 

NKANA Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) has started constructing toilets in Kitwe’s Wusakile township at a cost of K30 billion.
And the Democratic Governance and Human Rights Advocacy (DEGHA) is happy that the water utility firm has embarked on the construction of toilets in the township.
NWSC public relations manager Damaseke Chibale said in an interview in Kitwe on April 11 that Government in partnership with Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) is funding the project.
“Yes, I can confirm that on Monday [April 11], we started constructing individual toilets in Wusakile township at cost of over K30 billion. The project is being funded by both Government and Mopani Copper Mines (MCM),” MrChibale said.
Mr Chibale said Government released K14.5 billion to NWSC to improve water reticulation and sanitation facilities in the township.
The funds will be spent on the construction of over 1,000 lavatories.
“We would like to commend the Government for fulfilling its promise to us. Not too long ago, they promised us that they would help us with funds for the improvement of sanitation facilities in Wusakile township,” he said.
MrChibale aid Wusakile residents are happy that Government is committed to improving sanitation facilities in the township.
He said the construction of lavatories will help improve sanitation in Wusakile and urged people to support the project.
And DEGHA national co-ordinator Gerald Mutelo said it is sad that residents of Wusakile have for many years been using dilapidated communal toilets.
“We are very delighted as an organisation over the development that the residents of Wusakile township in Kitwe will very soon have individual toilets and running water at their houses. We have been advocating the removal of communal toilets in Wusakile township in Kitwe for a long time,” he said.
Mr Mutelo said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that communal toilets are un-hygienic.
He commended Government and MCM for funding the project.
“The announcement by Nkana Water and Sewerage Company that the construction of toilets will commerce on Monday and that Government and MCM will finance the project is very good news to the people of Wusakile and entire Copperbelt Province. We want to thank MCM, NWSC and the Government for their strong partnership in providing the much-needed toilets,” he said.
He appealed to other mining firms to emulate MCM by supplementing Government’s efforts to fight poverty.
Mr Mutelo said corporate social responsibility is an important undertaking because it helps to develop the communities.