State urges Nkana Water to ensure running water in schools, houses

October 15, 2012 | Filed under: Local News | Posted by: web editor

PUPILS from various schools in Kitwe on Friday commemorated the Global Hand Washing Day at Ipusukilo Basic School. Above, one of the pupils (left) demonstrates how to use a hand wash equipment during an exhibition organised by Nkana Water and Sewerage Company. - Picture by 

NKOMBO KACHEMBA.

From ALEX NJOVU in Kitwe
GOVERNMENT has urged Nkana Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) to ensure that every school and household in Kitwe has running water to prevent outbreaks of water borne diseases.
Kitwe district commissioner Elias Kamanga said there is need for the water firm to ensure that Kitwe residents have access to quality water and sanitation facilities.
Mr Kamanga was speaking in Kitwe during the commemoration of the Global Hand Washing Day at Ipusukilo Basic School on Friday.
“I am urging Nkana Water and Sewerage Company to ensure that schools and people’s houses have running water every day. We need to ensure that we prevent outbreaks of water-borne diseases at all cost as we go into the rainy season.
“The importance of hand washing cannot be over emphasised. Research reveals that hand washing with soap can cut pneumonia by up to 45 percent and diarrhea by up to 50 percent,” he said.
Mr Kamanga said hand washing is an accessible and cost effective method of preventing diarrheal and other diseases.
“Research further shows that intensive hand washing promotion is positively associated with child growth and development. Our hands are carriers of germs and they should be cleaned every time we use the latrine before and after eating,” he said.
Mr Kamanga said health experts recommend hand washing as a key tool in promoting good public health.
He said there is need to use children as agents of behavioural change because they are active, enthusiastic and open to new ideas.
And NWSC managing director Dian Makwaba said the water firm is committed to supplying its customers with quality water services.
In a speech read for her by NWSC manager for infrastructure development Cliff Bwalya, Ms Makwaba said the company is implementing the water supply and sanitation project on behalf of government.
“The project which has been funded with a loan from the African Development Bank will rehabilitate and extend, where possible, water and sanitation infrastructure in Kitwe, Kalulushi and Chambishi.
“The project is implementing a comprehensive sanitation and hygiene education programme whose main objective is to promote positive water sanitation and hygiene behaviours,” Ms Makwaba said.

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