PF’s Chanda hails RB for funds

Wednesday, may 4, 2011  
By ALEX NJOVU
 
KANKOYO Patriotic Front (PF) member of Parliament Percy Chanda has commended President Banda for helping him to source K 2.5 billion for the rehabilitation of water and sanitation facilities in the constituency.
The project to restore the collapsed water system in Kankoyo Township in Mufulira is expected to start next month.
Mr Chanda said in an interview in Mufulira yesterday that the President played a key role in helping him to secure funds to improve water reticulation.
“Without President Banda, I would probably be struggling to source money for the project. I had an opportunity to talk to Mr Banda about the problems the people of Kankoyo face in terms of water.
He immediately directed then Minister of Local Government and Housing EustarckioKazonga to find money for the project and the funds were sourced. I am happy to announce that the project will commence in June,” Mr Chanda said.
He said he is happy that Mr Banda has continued to embark on development projects countrywide.
Mr Chanda said the water infrastructure in Kankoyo has collapsed completely and some people are forced to walk long distances to look for water.
“We have to overhaul the entire water system in Kankoyo because it is aging. Some sections of the township do not have water and we had to ask Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company to provide standby taps for the people,” Mr Chanda said.
He said he is grateful to President Banda for his commitment to providing quality water and sanitation services.
He said the rehabilitation of water infrastructure in Kankoyo will help foster development in Mufulira.
“The issue of water in Kankoyo has been a thorny one and we are happy that very soon, the rehabilitation of the water and sewerage system will start.
As the people of Kankoyo township, we have to pay tribute to President Banda for the concern he has shown for the people of Zambia who have been facing numerous problems including access to clean water. We are happy that this problem will be a thing of the past,” he said.
Mr Chanda said President Banda has continued to demonstrate love for Zambians by implementing polices intended to improve living standards.
He also called on local people to desist from acts of vandalism.
“One of the problems we have in Kankoyo is vandalism. People have to understand that Government and its partners spend a lot of money on rehabilitating water infrastructure and it is important for us to protect these facilities from destruction.
We cannot continue rehabilitating the same infrastructure every year. We need to work together to safeguard water infrastructure against vandalism,” he said.
Mr Chanda also commended Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company for its commitment to providing quality water to customers.
He thanked the company for putting in place measures intended to discourage residents from destroying water infrastructure.