THE Lusaka water supply, sanitation and drainage project under the Millennium Challenge Corporation will commence this year at a cost of US$355 million.
Millennium Challenge Corporation resident country director for Zambia Steven Marma said the project would be undertaken in phases over a period of five years and will benefit more than 1.2 million people.
Mr Marma said millennium challenge account of the United States (US) Government authorised the funding to Zambia after the country posted impressive goals aimed at meeting economic needs of the people.
He was speaking in Lusaka yesterday when his organisation met Members of Parliament (MPs’) from constituencies in Lusaka.
Among the parliamentarians who attended the meeting was Lusaka Central MP Guy Scott, Given Lubinda of Kabwata, Gerry Chanda of Kanyama and Keith Mukata for Chilanga.
Others were Chongwe MP Sylvia Masebo, Lawrence Sichalwe of Chawama and Munali law maker Nkandu Luo.
“This project will improve water supply, reduce incidences of waterborne diseases and strengthen institutional capacity of water utility companies,” he said.
Mr Marma called on Government agencies to support the programme so that it was completed within the stipulated period of time.
He said failure to complete the project within the stipulated period of time compels the US treasury to repossess the funding allocated to the project.
Millennium challenge account Zambia deputy chief executive officer for operations Israel Banda said the institution would ensure that the all projects were completed within the stipulated time frame.
“The projects will obviously be done in separate stages but everything possible is being done to ensure that the whole project is a success,” he said.
The MPs’ took turns to appreciate the project and Mr Lubinda urged the corporation to allocate some jobs to Zambian contractors that would exhibit the capability to carry out the works promptly.
This sounds like it might work. This is development because it has a direct positive impact on local people. Again it will be funded by an outside agency because our government has its priorities misplaced!
When will we change?
The digging and prep work is visible. Attempts to hijack process by certain persons wanting their companies involved appears thwarted. As genuine as it is my funny bone can’t resist chuckling at all the tunnelling works by U.S. Got to be worth at least one movie script. On the serious tip when they eventually pull it off this will be something to replicate. Let’s hope we learn from the best how to plan, build and complete with full accountability albeit to the MDG. No congressional hearings about lost monies expected on this. Well done. Cue the cameras for the new underground network…
Always expecting outsiders to do things for you. Thanks USA anyway. Let Guy Scott spearhead the project as some of the people like the Chawama MP looks sick to me and might want to put more money in their pockets. Stop street vending and teach people to keep surrounding clean and you won’t have much drainage problems
Lusaka, by virtue of its landscape requires deep farrows for drainage. The stony landscape that is so close to the surface makes drainage a problem and flooding a frequent occurrence! Please make ’em deep and plant trees and grass Ba Council twapapata!
Also, what is hard about marking and painting roads (lanes)? No wonder accidents are the order of the day!