Government is set to allocate about Five (5) million Kwacha towards Water and Sanitation projects from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) starting next year.
Ministry of Water Development Sanitation Permanent Secretary Joe Kalusa, said, water and sanitation projects beginning the year 2023, will benefit about 20 per cent from the CDF in a bid to improve access to water supply in the country.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Mpika District Commissioner David Siame at his office yesterday, Mr Kalusa stated that the allocation of the funds will ensure that all constituencies have full access to safe and clean water.
He said Mpika district is one of the beneficiaries of water projects in Muchinga province that will supplement the other water utility projects encompassed in the CDF allocation.
Mr Kalusa stressed that the decentralization of water and sanitation projects in the surrounding communities, is in line with government’s agenda of actualising the devolution process in all sectors.
“We have to take the water facilities in the outskirts of our district which will be done through CDF,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary further assured the people of Mpika of frequent water supply by the end of 2023 after all the water projects in the district are complete and operational.
He also stated that the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation will begin constructing about 16 dams around the country next year to increase on the number of water reservoirs.
And Mr Kalusa expressed delight at the level of progress at Lwitikila Low Water extraction point under construction.
He said the project is progressing satisfactorily, saying it is expected to be commissioned by March next year.
Meanwhile, Mpika District Commissioner David Siame, said the demand for water supply in the district is growing due to the increase in population in the area.
Mr Siame added that the operationalisation of the various water projects will go a long way towards frequent supply of safe and clean water in the district.
The District Commissioner stated that development of water and sanitation infrastructure projects has been received well by the people of Mpika district.
He said residents have also been sensitized on land encroachment that has sewer lines and other projects.
“We have implored our people to respect government projects that are aimed at improving water and sanitation for their own benefit,” he added.
The Water Development and Sanitation Permanent Secretary is in Muchinga Province to check on the various water projects under construction and rehabilitation in Mpika, Chinsali, Isoka and Nakonde districts.