Choma District Commissioner Laiven Apuleni is disappointed with the action taken by the Southern Water and Sewerage Company to disconnect water supply to Choma police station and camp to recover outstanding water bills.
Mr Apuleni told ZANIS in Choma today that the action taken compromises security of the district as police officers and their families have now become preoccupied with fetching water and the expense of providing security.
He said it is disappointing that the water utility took action even after his office and the Ministry of Home Affairs Deputy Permanent Secretary personally met the managing director of the utility company recently to assure them that the outstanding water bills would be settled soon.
The DC said the attitude of the water company towards defaulting government institutions is worrying.
Mr Apuleni said the water company which is also a quasi government institution would now find it difficult to operate in harmony with ministries and departments if there is no change of attitude.
Mr. Apuleni said government institutions are not refusing to clear the outstanding bills but that poor funding from the national treasury in the last quarter of last year resulted in the accumulation of utility bills which could not be cleared.
He said he is expected the funding situation to improve with the approval of the 2009 national budget by parliament.
He said the district administration which houses several government ministries and department has been similarly disconnected over a bill of K 800, 000 despite his office making several pleas with the utility company not to withdraw service.
Mr Apuleni said the government institutions including his office at the BOMA are now operating without water.
ZANIS/CM/MKM/ENDS
Ya kosa nkhani ku Choma
Ba DC be serious, last time LT carried an article on one govt official from MLGH who urged water companies to collect their dues and disconnect those not paying for the service. How come you changing your stance now? Let ZP pay
assurances everytime….who can eat promises?????? GRZ is a very poor example of running bussiness.
business is business baDC
just pay the money,simple as that.DC or AC
Ala…iwe DC where are you from. How are they going to run business if you cant pay? Let ZP pay. Every one is paying for the serice why cant you??? Remember that if you as Govnt can find it difficulty to pay coz of lack of money, then individuals are greatly affected . Please just pay mr DC
This is ridiculous !! These departments can not afford to pay 800 000 Ks? Very embarrassing indeed.
What has happened to my contribution LT?
My comment has been a case of “now you see him, now you don’t”.
Was my opinion offensive to you?
I am happy for your advice via an email to me.
Dc, this is the reason why Zamtel is in a mess today! Funds for utilities are always bugdeted for every year but misused ! Gov’t should learn to honour its contractual and business obligations to utility firms.
HD4GfT comment4 ,
Southern Water Co you are doing a good job.DC you are sick and not in touch with reality.90% of the Zambians are not doing their jobs hence the mess the whole country finds itself in.