President Edgar Lungu has launched Lot 2 of the integrated small towns water supply and sanitation project which he said will ease the sufferings of the people in Mpika and Nakonde districts in Muchinga province when completed.
The President said his administration was aware that good water supply was essential in alleviating poverty and fighting diseases such as dysentery and cholera in Zambia.
President Lungu noted that water plays a critical role in the country’s socio-economic development hence his government decided to facilitate citizens’ easy access to clean and safe water and adequate sanitation services.
“You, the residents of Muchinga province, in particular, Mpika and Nakonde districts have cried to successive governments for help without success. Well, now your prayers have been answered. This project will end the perennial water blues you have suffered from,” he said during the launch of the project in Mpika yesterday.
He reiterated that the supply of clean water to the people of Zambia and good sanitary facilities remained top on the Patriotic Front (PF) government’s development agenda in accordance to the seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).
“In this regard, our target is that all citizens must have access to clean and safe water supply by the year 2030. And also our target is that 90 percent of our population must access sanitation services by the year 2030,” he emphasised.
The President explained that the Lot 2 of the integrated small towns water supply and sanitation project was one of the many projects which his government has embarked on to address challenges of water supply and good sanitation in Zambia.
The Lot 2 integrated small towns water supply and sanitation project, which is jointly financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Zambian government, will gobble US$17 million at its completion.
The project will involve the construction and rehabilitation of water and sanitation infrastructure comprising building water intakes and a water treatment plant at Malashi and the construction of water storage tanks in Chitulika and Kamwanya areas in Mpika district.
Other facilities that will be constructed under the same project include water distribution networks, sewage ponds and sewer networks while existing water infrastructure will undergo rehabilitation.
President Lungu said these installations will result in more residents of Mpika district accessing clean and safe water supply and sanitation services.
“Once the project is completed, it will enable Chambeshi water supply and sanitation company to increase water supply hours from 11 hours to 22 hours to the residents of Mpika district.
The company is also expected to increase water supply coverage to the residents of Mpika district from 45 percent to 95 percent and sanitation services from 25 percent to 40 percent respectively,” he explained.
The Head of State further said the project will also directly employ 650 skilled and unskilled people adding that more jobs will be created in other sectors that will benefit from the improved water supply and sanitation services when the project is completed.
“With this project, I am convinced that there will be improved business opportunities for local contractors and other Zambian contractors and suppliers of goods and services. Local contractors and suppliers will benefit from the 20 percent subcontracting policy, translating into US$3.72 million from the main contract sum of US$17 million,” he said.
And President Lungu said his government has resolved to embark on an aggressive programme to alleviate challenges of water supply through expanding, constructing and developing water infrastructure such as dams, boreholes, and building water schemes.
He said this programme is aimed at countering the threats posed by climate change which he said has caused poor rainfall and reduced water levels in Zambia’s water bodies, a situation that has negatively affected the people.
“My government will continue to provide necessary support to the water sector as we now focus on achieving Sustainable Development Goals and ensure all our people access both water and sanitation. This is not an easy undertaking, but we believe that with support from various stakeholders and cooperating partners, we will achieve this target,” he said.
He has since thanked the African Development Bank for co-financing the Lot 2 integrated small towns water supply and sanitation project saying he was looking forward for more cooperation with and support from the bank in similar projects in future.
President Lungu further thanked other cooperating partners for supporting other various water supply and sanitation projects in the country.
The President has since returned to Lusaka after ending his four-days working visit to Muchinga province.
This is a rehabilitation/improvement of an existing water system not a new project.Lungu don’t mislead us please.
Another scandal launched.
$17 million has become a number in PF.
$17 million paid to honeybee pharmaceutical. Who knew such money can provide water to two districts.
US $17 MILLION TO BE WASTED AGAIN.
No one will ever trust a thief.
I have never heard of a thief admitting his wrong doings. He can be found with a stolen item in his hand but will say no its not me.
When one reads this speech , one would be forgiven if one thought this was lungus first 2 years in office……
Moron……
A life changing project for the people of Mpika and Nakonde. The supply of clean water to the citizens will go a long way in improving the health of the people
Thank you ba president. We hope to see more of such developments. We thank jehovah for working in you to bring about such developments.
We humbly ask diasporans,opposing members and general public to support you as you endeavour to bring development. We need to sit down with upnd and work together. As a born again I wish you all love
We sell mines cheap and in kwacha and we buy back the same mines in dollars and we get
Loans to buy back.We also claim to
Know how to run them.that is zambia. Anything and everything
Possible in zambia.
Oh its that figure again $17 million ….he is not even ashamed of mentioning it. He has since thanked the African Development Bank for co-financing the Lot 2 integrated small towns water supply and sanitation project …if he had put that $17 million he wasted with Chilufya and Honeybee there would be no need for obtaining a loan from AfDB….but a reckless man like Lazy Lungu does not understand how corruption robs its people. The contract is 17 million and local firms are getting 20% of the works whilst 80% goes to some foreign entity even on a small project like this and one calls himself Head of State.
Furthermore his new Health Minister is at pains taking people to adhere to covid-19 guideline but he is busy crisscrossing the country with his entourage spreading the virus.
Oh its that figure again $17 million ….he is not even ashamed of mentioning it. He has since thanked the African Development Bank for co-financing the Lot 2 integrated small towns water supply and sanitation project …if he had put that $17 million he wasted with Chilufya and Honeybee there would be no need for obtaining a loan from AfDB….but a reckless man like La7y Lungu does not understand how corruption robs its people. The contract is 17 million and local firms are getting 20% of the works whilst 80% goes to some foreign entity even on a small project like this and one calls himself Head of State.
Furthermore his new Health Minister is at pains taking people to adhere to covid-19 guideline but he is busy crisscrossing the country with his entourage spreading the virus.
My comment is awaiting moderation
Now our local UK based impostor/ troll has found another hobby …really laughable …this silly boy never ceases to amaze me with his lunacy very soon he will change to impersonating someone else. #N3z the coon
All the little money from NW is being diverted to Muchinga province….in Western Province and NW they can even dream about a borehole or even a roof on their schools.
Tarino I pray that you change your hateful ways so that your comments are not moderated. I know you want me to hate you but I won’t. I only have love for you. Seek God and repent. I know you can do it. Jehovah forgives.
Look at the UK based impersonating dingbat ….he is now preaching white man’s bible, N3z we know you are now bored playing KZ and looking for some other hobby. silly fooooool!
Look at the UK based impersonating dingbat ….he is now preaching white man’s bible, N3z we know you are now bored playing K Z and looking for some other hobby. sillly fooooool
My com ment is awaiting moderation
Tarino the devil is using you such that God is blocking your comments. Repent and find the lord. It’s never too late to become born again. I was baptized last weekend and I feel good. I have forgiven you and hope you can find it in your heart to forgive.
Chaps are not even ashemed of that number.
$17m again?
A worth while project for the people of Mpika and Nakonde.. keep it up Mr President
Useless dull drunk, the worst president on earth, the w@nker of a dull president that bankrupted a country…. Scatter teeth… Bapub@
Kaizer Zulu you are just a cheap thief ECL can no longer fool us a 5lt cooking oil is now k189 from k65 when he became president meat k78 per kg ftom k25, fuel shortages every month. No my friend pipo are feed up. You can fool pipo but not all the time
Look at this sil ly impostor ….you might fooooool people with your sober religious antics but you can not foooool everyone. Us who have been blogging on LT know this clown even without his hideous makeup…he is about to metamorphose into some other character. #N£z the coon
We know you are lonely in your UK council flat especially with lockdown …call the Samaritans Helpline on 116 123 in the UK where ever you are you foool…If you need someone to talk to, they will listen to your folly. They won’t judge or tell you what to do. We know impersonating can be difficult when in reality you are a nobody using free wifi.
Tarino, I know you are hurting my son. Take heart and read the bible. I was once like you until I received the lord and christ in my life last week. As a born again I will pray for you and ask God to forgive your sins.
The word is REHABILITATION. So, how can this be a launch? If you take your car for service do you celebrate with a party when you come back home as though you have bought a new car? This is a campaign gimmick which unfortunately so many gullible people will fall for.
I stopped reading when this whole episode was premised on a prayer that is being answered. It doesn’t sound right. Something smacks of really taking people for granted here.
That ADB loan needs to be repaid by Chambeshi water. And yet the project hasn’t began. Maybe the loan has defaulted already.