State gives NWSC K 20 bn for rehabilitation

By ALEX NJOVU

GOVERNMENT has given Nkana Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) a K20.5 billion grant for the rehabilitation of water and sanitation infrastructure.
Speaking during a tour of infrastructure in Chambishi on September 12, NWSC managing director Diana Makwaba commended Government for its commitment to providing clean and safe water.
“We have received a grant of K20.5 billion from the government through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing for the improvement of water and sanitation infrastructure in Kitwe, Kalulushi and Chambishi. The rehabilitation of the infrastructure has already commenced in all the areas,” Mrs Makwaba said.
NWSC supplies water to Kitwe, Kalulushi and Chambishi on the Copperbelt.
She said part of the money will be used to build 500 toilets in Kitwe’s Buchi and Kamitondo townships.
She said the rehabilitation of infrastructure in Chamboli township is underway and over 1,000 people will benefit from the project expected to be completed next month.
“We will spend K7.5 billion on resuscitating water infrastructure at the Chambishi water intake plant on Kafue River and install meters on 1,800 properties.
Currently, we are buying water from Chambishi metals to supply to Chambishi residents but once we are done with the works at the water intake, we will be able to supply our own water to the residents,” Mrs Makwaba said.
She said the water utility company will also improve water supply to Ipusukilo and Chipata townships where it has built 10 water kiosks.
“We will carry out metering to 3,500 individual households in Wusakile and replace 12 kilometres of dilapidated water network pipes in Chamboli township. Initially we received US$63 million from the African Development Bank through the government for the improvement of water infrastructure in the areas we operate from.
“Once all these works are completed, the provision of quality water to members of the public will improve. We would like to thank the government for its commitment to developing the water sector,” she said.
And NWSC community mobilisation and social specialist Mwangala Chiwala said the project has received overwhelming response from the public.
Ms Chiwala said the construction of toilets in Buchi and Kamitondo townships will help to improve sanitation in the areas.
“The project is receiving good response from members of the public. The works are progressing well,” she said.
Ms Chiwala called on residents to desist from vandalising the infrastructure.
Meanwhile, NANCY SIAME reports that Government has given Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company (KWSC) K19 billion for emergency water and sanitation interventions in three districts on the Copperbelt Province.
The government in collaboration with the Japanese government has also given the water utility company US$25 million to improve water supply in Ndola.
KWSC managing director Ian Banda said the K19 billion is part of the K93 billion which has been given to all water utility companies across the country.
“We have never received such support from Government. We requested for K19 billion and Government fully funded our request to improve the water and sanitation system in the areas we operate from,” Mr Banda said.
He was speaking at the monitoring of water supply and sanitation emergency works in Ndola on Monday.  Mr Banda said the two phases which started in May this year will take at least six weeks to be completed.
The water utility company requested Government to fund the improvement of water supply and sanitation system in Ndola, Luanshya and Masaiti districts.